In a world where artificial intelligence is celebrated, compassion must be promoted even more.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

1. Today, we celebrate the Opening Ceremony of the 2019-2020 school year on a beautiful autumn day in Hanoi. But in each of us, especially the students of K64, the immortal writing of writer Thanh Tinh still echoes in our ears: "Every year at the end of autumn, the leaves on the streets fall a lot and there are silver clouds in the sky, my heart is filled with the bewildering memories of the first day of school".

Today, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities organizes the opening Ceremony for the academic year 2019-2020 on an exquisite autumn day in Hanoi. I believe that in your hearts, especially those of the students of QH-2019-X class, the eternal literary words composed by writer Thanh Tinh still resound: “Every year, whenever autumn comes, plenty of leaves fall on the streets and silver clouds appear in the sky, exciting my heart with the touching memories of the opening day of the school year.”

2. First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the lecturers, staff and senior students, to send my warmest congratulations to the 2,200 new students of K64 of the University. Now, you have officially become students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, a member of VNU, which has just been ranked in the top 800 universities in the world by the Times Higher Education organization. I also sincerely thank you for the love you have given to the University.

Firstly, on behalf of the tutors, staff and students of upper classes I would like to send my earnest congratulations to 2,200 new students of QH-2019-X class. Now you have officially become a student of USSH, a member of VNU Hanoi, which was recently ranked by Times Higher Education among 800 top universities in the world. I also express my appreciations to you for the love you devote to the University.

Professor Pham Quang Minh beats the drum to open the new school year 2019-2020

3. Dear distinguished guests, teachers and students! The 2018-2019 school year has left a very strong impression. For the first time, the School welcomed students of 4 new training programs: Japanese Studies, High-quality Journalism, High-quality Management Science and High-quality Information Management. For the first time, the School's teachers published more than 80 works in international publications, including 22 works in high-impact journals. For the first time, the School's lecture halls were air-conditioned. For the first time, the Canteen - a new culinary space that is more beautiful, more delicious, more reasonable and more friendly has officially come into operation. In particular, it is also the first time that the School's Traditional Room, a cultural space in which the past blends with the present and connects with the future, is truly a place that any member of the School must visit at least once.

Dear distinguished guests, teachers and beloved students! The year 2018-2019 has passed with extremely memorable impressions. For the first time, the University welcomes students enrolling in four new programs: Japanese studies, advanced Journalism, advanced Management science and advanced Information management. The teachers of the University had over 80 academic works published in international journals, including 22 in journals of high impact factor. For the first time, all the classrooms of the University had air-conditioners installed. For the first time, a new canteen has been in operation – a more beautiful, convenient and friendly space with delicious cuisine. Especially, the Tradition room of the University has officially been established as a cultural space where the past intertwines with the present and the future, which is truly a location worth visiting at least once for any member of the University.

4. Dear distinguished guests, teachers and students! Among the 2,200 new students returning to school today, the School is especially pleased to have contributed to making the dream of becoming a Journalism student of Tran Thi Hong Ngoc, from Nghe An, come true. In an extremely difficult situation that seemed insurmountable, Ngoc still persevered in her studies to be admitted to one of the majors with the highest scores of the School. It is her example of perseverance and passion for learning that has inspired many other benevolent hearts, from the reporter of Dan Tri newspaper, to the teacher working at the Development Cooperation Department of VNU, from Nghe An Oncology Hospital to the group of brothers and sisters of Himalaya Club. On this journey of charity, Ngoc is not alone but always has companions. In a world where artificial intelligence is honored, charity must be promoted even more. People can create super brains, but they cannot create hearts, no matter how small. Artificial intelligence can solve complex and sophisticated problems, but it cannot replace the soul. In the world of the 4.0 industrial revolution, it is true that IQ (Intelligence Quotient) - intelligence quotient and EQ (Emotional Quotient) - emotional quotient, perception, and evaluation are extremely important, but more than ever, we need LQ (Love Quotient) - compassion quotient, the ability to put oneself in another person's perspective, something that machines never have. LQ is a new quotient concept highly appreciated by Jack Ma, Daila Lama and Jeff Weiner.

Dear distinguished guests, teachers and beloved students! Among the 2,200 new students attending today's ceremony, the University is grateful for having helped Ms. Tran Thi Hong Ngoc from Nghe An realizes her dream of becoming a student of Journalism. Despite extremely harsh conditions that seem almost unbearable, Ngoc has nevertheless persevered with her study to enroll in one of the best majors of the University. Her honorable patience and academic passion have inspired many other benevolent actions by other people, from the reporters of Dan Tri newspaper to the Director of the International Cooperation Office of VNU Hanoi, from the Nghe An Oncology Hospital to the members of the Himalaya Club. In this journey of compassion Ngoc is not lonely at all with all of her companions. In a world where artificial intelligence is glorified, compassion has to be all the more acknowledged. Superior brains may be created but even small hearts cannot be. AI is able to solve complicated math problems but cannot replace the soul. In the world of 4.0 industrial revolution, it is true that IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) are considered especially important, but above all we need LQ (Love Quotient) – the compassion quotient, the ability to put oneself in others' shoes, which machines can never achieve. LQ is a new concept highly rated by Jack Ma, the Dalai Lama and Jeff Weiner.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh and the valedictorians of 2019

5. Finally, please allow me to express my sincere thanks to the leaders of VNU for their constant guidance and support, to the Ambassadors and diplomatic delegations for their cooperation and trust; to the representatives of the partners who have always supported us: BIDV, Shinhan Bank, AEON Mall, Korea Foundation, Danko Group, Phuong Dong, My Son, Dao Minh Quang Fund, Toto, Bao Ninh enterprises and many other units; to the international and Vietnamese teachers who have silently contributed every day. I respectfully wish all distinguished guests, teachers and lecturers good health, happiness and success. I wish the new students of K64 of the University not only IQ, EQ but also LQ. I wish you all to have confidence on your new path, as Sheryl Sandberg - CEO of Facebook shared in her famous book "Plan B" (published in 2017), when she knew how to stand up and share with everyone, in the desperate pain of suddenly losing her beloved husband: that life is never perfect, that we all have to live with a plan B, that we must always face adversity, must practice resilience, to find joy. If you can do so, you have contributed to realizing Uncle Ho's dream that "Vietnam can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's great powers". The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is committed to accompanying you. Good luck and success. Thank you.

Finally, on the occasion of the new academic year I would like to thank the VNU leaders, VNU member universities, your excellency Ambassadors and the representatives of Diplomatic corps, our partners – the representatives of BIDV, Shinhan Bank, Korea Foundation, Danko Group, Phuong Dong Group, My Son Groups, AEON Mall, Dao Minh Quang Foundation, Toto Company, Bao Ninh Company and many others for your effective support and cooperation. My thanks also go to all international volunteer teachers and visiting professors, and Vietnamese lecturers for their steady endeavors. I would like to wish all of you good health, happiness and success. I hope all the new students of QH-2019-X class possess not only IQ, EQ, but also LQ. I hope you keep your confidence on the new road, as Sheryl Sandberg, Managing Director of Facebook, puts it in her well-known book “Option B” (Alfred A. Knopf NY, 2017), despite her extreme pain for having lost her beloved husband: that life is not always perfect, that every one of us has to live with a certain Plan B, and that we all have to be facing adversity and building resilience to find joy. If so, you actually contribute to Ho Chi Minh's will that “Vietnam shall stand abreast with big powers.” Our USSH commits to be by your side. Thank you for your attention.

Professor Pham Quang Minh, on behalf of the School, received scholarships awarded by businesses to students.

http://ussh.vnu.edu.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/Video-10-su-kien-tieu-bieu-nam-hoc-2018-2019-1-490-19311

http://ussh.vnu.edu.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/10-su-kien-tieu-bieu-nam-hoc-2018-2019-1-490-19305