Alumni – “Ambassadors” connecting the past with the future.

Today (March 16th), the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) held a reunion with alumni representatives to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Pig 2019.

The reunion attracted the participation of more than 40 outstanding alumni from various departments. They represent different generations of students, many of whom currently hold important positions in society and maintain close ties with their alma mater. Among them are well-known figures such as Mr. Nguyen The Ky – Member of the Central Committee, Director General of the Voice of Vietnam Radio, and Editor Thanh Huong…

Regardless of age or position, they are all… alumni of the "Humanities" program.

In his opening remarks at the reunion, Professor Pham Quang Minh, the Rector of the university, a well-known figure in the media from television to online and print newspapers, and in international commentary programs, expressed his deep emotion at meeting familiar faces who were once students of the former University of Hanoi, now the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) - Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU).

Professor Pham Quang Minh (right), Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi

As a former student of the 23rd cohort, Professor Pham Quang Minh stated: "There is something very special about today's alumni gathering: 'There is no distinction based on position or age, even among those who have held or are currently holding very high positions in society, such as Mr. Nguyen The Ky - Member of the Central Executive Committee, Director General of the Voice of Vietnam Radio; Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc - People's Teacher - Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences (VNU), or Mr. Vi Quang Dao - Director General of the Government Electronic Information Portal… all share a common brand: "alumni of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities."

The Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities stated: “I only studied for one year, so I'm still an alumnus. Those of you who are luckier, studying for four or five years and receiving a degree from the university, are the same. But we are all equal, regardless of the length of our studies, whether they are graduate students, doctoral candidates, or undergraduates… we are all students of the university.”

Professor Pham Quang Minh expressed his delight that alumni of this school have achieved success in many different fields, "from politics to economics, culture, and society; from universities to research institutes, government agencies, and private businesses...". He also expressed his pleasure that the school's achievements are being utilized and recognized by society; that alumni are applying the knowledge they learned at the school, enriching it, and thereby strengthening and expanding the school's reputation.

Alumni – "Ambassadors" connecting the school with society.

At the reunion, many alumni shared memorable memories from their time at university. Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc emotionally said, "The greatest fortune of my life was being able to attend the University of Hanoi." He recounted that, at the University of Hanoi, he was taught by a wonderful generation of teachers, even though he had studied in many places around the world.

Mr. Nguyen The Ky - Member of the Central Executive Committee, Director General of the Voice of Vietnam Radio, former student of the Faculty of Literature, University of Hanoi (formerly).

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc

Venerable Nun Thich Dam Lan, abbess of Bodhi Pagoda in Hanoi, is a former student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

He stated that he had also taught at many universities both domestically and internationally, and observed that "integration" or "interdisciplinary" is the most important aspect, a major "tradition" of the former University of General Sciences and Humanities and the current University of Social Sciences and Humanities. "It can be said that it integrates all the knowledge and experience from many fields, both social and natural sciences," Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc emphasized.

This was also shared by many alumni at today's reunion. For them, their comprehensive, interdisciplinary knowledge helped them not only successfully complete their assigned tasks but also achieve significant success, earning recognition from colleagues, friends, and society. Some alumni even worked in fields unrelated to their studies and still achieved great success; they shared that their knowledge of social sciences and humanities was the "foundation" that helped them reap the rewards after leaving school.

On this occasion, Professor Pham Quang Minh also expressed his gratitude to the alumni for their time studying at the university, congratulating them and wishing them even greater success in the future. “They are the ambassadors of the university, bringing the knowledge they have learned to society and serving it. They are the best image of the university, connecting the university with society, connecting the past and the future.”

No country or individual exists without a history; all current and future development is built upon the foundation of the past. We must cherish and preserve the past, including both successes and failures, and even the things we haven't yet accomplished. This is also the meaning of the slogan "Cherish the past, seize the future" – the slogan of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.