University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Humboldt University organize the course "Globalization - Localization in Vietnam"

Students participating in the course come from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU), Humboldt University, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gadjah Mada University, University of the Philippines, Georg August Göttingen University, etc.

In his welcome speech to the international students of the course, Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) mentioned the context of globalization on the international level and the positive changes in Vietnam in recent decades under the influence of globalization. Accordingly, since the 1970s and especially since the end of the Cold War, the whole world has participated in the “movement towards greater integration, interaction and interdependence between peoples and organizations across national borders”. In return, greater integration, interaction and interdependence bring challenges and threats such as terrorism, climate change, smuggling, epidemics, etc.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh lectures at the course "Globalization - Localization in Vietnam"

From a national perspective, since 1986, Vietnam has officially launched the Doi Moi reform policy. So far, it has brought positive changes to the country. Politically, there has been a democratization process. Economically, Vietnam has shifted from a previously centralized economy to a market economy. Culturally, there has been an explosion of festivals and cultural traditions. Overall, Vietnam has benefited greatly from globalization but also has concerns. Therefore, changes in Vietnam include both global and national aspects.

Introducing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Rector emphasized: “The University always tries to be more open and integrated with other universities in the world”. Today, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is developing towards a research university with 24 undergraduate programs and 70 graduate programs. The University’s mission is to serve the reform and integration strategy. To do that, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has become a forum for academic exchange and discussion at the regional and international level. The summer course “Globalization-Localization in Vietnam” organized by the University with Humbolt University is one of such meaningful activities, aiming to realize the above policy of the University.

In his speech at the program, Prof. Vincent Houben (Humboldt University, Germany) talked about this summer course: This is the first course to take place in Hanoi, following a series of other summer courses at Universiti Sains Malaysia and Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. These courses aim to strengthen educational links between Humboldt University and Southeast Asian partner universities. In addition, with the participation of students from Southeast Asian countries, this course also aims to enhance intra-ASEAN exchanges. In addition, this course also tries to suggest research directions on Southeast Asia.

During the first week, students will listen to lectures on the course topic, but in the second week, they will participate in field research outside the school.

Topics of this course include:

• “Globalization and global-localization: The context of Vietnam” (Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities presented).
• “Popularizing Indian and Middle Eastern Mythical Cities in Javanese Geospace” (Dr. Sri Margana, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia).
• “Globalization-localization and Vietnam” (Prof. Vincent Houben, Humboldt University, Germany).
• “Introduction to research methods with a focus on the “density” of ethnographic methods” (Dr. Benjamin Baumann, Humboldt University, Germany).
• “Globalization-localization in Vietnam: Historical perspective” (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Vice Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities).
• “Globalization, cultural identity and Vietnamese nationalism” (Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Chinh, Faculty of Anthropology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities).
• “Minorities in the Global Age” (Dr. Lye Tuck-Po, Universiti Sains, Malaysia).
• “Globalization-localization in Vietnamese villages” (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of the Department of Sociology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities).
• “Social Inequality in Vietnam: Visible Structures of Inequality in Vietnam in the Age of Global Capitalism” (Herrmann Konigs, Humboldt University, Germany).