VNU-USSH: Changing with a focus on creativity and innovation to develop the University.

Distinguished guests, former leaders of the school, esteemed teachers, and dear students!
On this joyous occasion of the opening of the 2023-2024 academic year, allow me, on behalf of the Party Committee and the Board of Directors, to extend our best wishes for health and happiness to all distinguished guests, esteemed teachers, and all female and male students; and for a successful new academic year in building the future, jointly establishing the position and elevating the reputation of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to a new level!
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!
The faculty and students of the university are entering the new academic year with great joy over the achievements of the past year, including: stability and a widespread atmosphere of unity; a comprehensively streamlined organizational structure; continued development of the staff; enrollment in all programs meeting and exceeding targets, with particularly expanded international enrollment; the majority of undergraduate training programs have undergone quality accreditation to guide new development strategies; postgraduate programs continue to be adjusted towards both integration and innovation to adapt to human resource needs and the development trends of science domestically and internationally; key scientific tasks continue to be implemented and strongly invested in; international cooperation is broad and substantive, and partnerships continue to increase scholarships and learning support for students; the university's revenue is growing well and the average income of staff continues to increase. The university's legal system harmonizes high principles with humanistic values ​​and a democratic spirit; the facilities for teaching, learning, and research have been significantly improved, the self-study space for students has increased more than fourfold, and the self-research space for staff will soon be put into use…
And, above all: just one month after 1,600 new graduates received their degrees and graduated, the University joyfully welcomed 2,018 new students of the 68th cohort! This is the first year that the enrollment quota for regular undergraduate programs has reached 2,000 students/year; and the total number of students at all levels (bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and international exchange programs) at the University has reached 10,000! Warmest congratulations on these impressive numbers!
Dear teachers!
Last year, on the first day of school, also in the sun-drenched autumn courtyard, I spoke to my teachers about facing a world full of turmoil and rapid change; about a higher education system both domestically and internationally that is changing daily. I also mentioned that this change creates new "positions" and "forces" for social sciences and humanities, but also poses enormous, even harsh, challenges. If each higher education institution does not adapt and change, it will be difficult for it to survive, let alone develop.
Change is a very natural attribute of all things; creative and innovative change must become a natural attribute of educators. Change is necessary so that each of us is not left behind in our own field of work, and so that the university as a whole does not fall behind in the journey of innovation in Vietnamese higher education. Creative and innovative change first and foremost benefits each of us; at the same time, it demonstrates responsibility to the community that will receive the workforce we train, to the parents who have entrusted their children to study at the university, and to the students who have chosen the humanities as their starting point for a long future ahead of them…
And, thinking more broadly, change is necessary to avoid bringing shame to our predecessors – the generations of faculty and students who, despite difficulties, even sacrificed their lives and blood in the wars of national defense, to build the foundation of the Faculty of Literature, General Studies, and Humanities that we inherit today. Therefore, I call upon all faculty and staff of the University to strongly and consistently change in a creative and innovative direction, from teaching activities to administrative work, in order to bring the best things to our students and to ourselves! Dear students!
As you all know, on October 10, 1945, just over a month after reading the Declaration of Independence that gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, amidst the country's numerous difficulties, President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree establishing the Faculty of Literature, the predecessor of our University of Social Sciences and Humanities today.
Many of you have probably read and remember a piece of advice from President Ho Chi Minh from 1961, when he instructed:"The job keeps progressing. If you don't learn, you won't keep up, and the job will leave you behind."
Today, we all understand and talk daily about the need for lifelong learning and about learning societies as an inevitable trend. Reflecting on President Ho Chi Minh's teachings from over 60 years ago, which were simple yet profound, they demonstrate timeless wisdom and vision regarding the trend of lifelong learning.
Did you know that, since 2016, the World Economic Forum's (WEF) report "The Future of Jobs" has estimated that:For today's generation of elementary school students, 65% will be working in jobs that don't even exist today.
The actual changes in employment trends over the past 10 years show that the above statement is not an exaggeration at all; many jobs that were popular more than 10 years ago no longer exist; many completely new jobs have emerged and quickly become popular in the last 5 years!
But, surprisingly, and quite understandably so, the social sciences and humanities have a distinct advantage in Society 4.0 due to their flexibility in developing interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training. Dr. Allan Goodman, President of the Institute of International Education (IIE), argues thatTechnologies with the potential to transform society on a massive scale will be those that require the strongest ethical foundations, meaning that judgments based on morality and ethics can be revolutionary in the age of Industry 4.0.Accordingly, in addition to scientific and technological (STEM) knowledge, the crucial role of philosophy, ethics, humanities, and arts must be emphasized; the workforce for the Industry 4.0 labor market needs more than just single-discipline knowledge; learners need to be equipped with multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary knowledge, positive thinking, and comprehensive skills…
Dear students! Your teachers are acutely aware of educational trends and future career prospects, and therefore constantly innovate the content and methods of teaching to provide you with the best possible training program. At the Faculty of Humanities, you will receive in-depth yet interdisciplinary and integrated learning, experience an academic environment that is both modern and humane, and participate in professional clubs that are both fun and trendy… We wish you a successful and effective course, and may you never forget the wonderful time of your youth under the loving roof of the Faculty of Humanities!

Distinguished guests, esteemed teachers, and students!
On the occasion of the opening of the 2023-2024 academic year, on behalf of the entire faculty, staff, and students of the university, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the leadership of Hanoi National University for their close guidance and enthusiastic support; to central and local agencies, international and domestic partners, philanthropists, and generations of alumni of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities who have always accompanied and supported the university's development.
In the context of higher education facing numerous challenges, and with the University determined to comprehensively innovate to adapt to the approaching trend of university autonomy, we earnestly hope for guidance from higher-level leaders, continued support from partners, increased contributions from philanthropists and alumni, and greater unity and cooperation among faculty and students to develop the University into a leading training institution."Academic foundation - Modernity is the trend".
With that spirit in mind, I hereby declare the opening of the 2023-2024 school year!
Wishing you all health, happiness and success!
Thank you very much!