The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City (USSH, VNU-HCM) and Vietnam Association of Psychology took place on September 13, 2021. The MoU has confirmed the collaboration between the two Parties through:
- facilitating supplemental training programs to improve the quality of human resources in the field of psychology;
- building a network of highly-qualified psychologists and social workers to offer counseling and therapy to the general public.
Accordingly, USSH, VNU-HCM and Vietnam Association of Psychology will collaborate to implement the Mental Health Vaccine program – a free mental health support program for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially patients and their families, medical staffs, workers and students in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces/cities across the country.
The ceremony was held virtually with the attendance of nearly 60 representatives from both Parties.
The ceremony was held virtually with the attendance of nearly 60 representatives from both Parties, including: Dr. Le Thi Ngoc Diep, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairwoman of the School Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, Rector; Dr. Le Hoang Dung, Vice Rector; Representatives from the Faculty of Psychology, Faculty of Social Work, Office of External Relations and Research Affairs, Office of Communication and Enterprise Relations; and consultants of the Mental Health Vaccine program.
Among the attendees were representatives of Vietnam Association of Psychology: Prof. Dr. Vu Dung, Chairman of Vietnam Association of Psychology; Vice Chairman and Members of the Vietnam Association of Psychology Executive Board from Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
With this Memorandum of Understanding, both Parties would cooperate to plan and implement activities within the framework of the Mental Health Vaccine program, namely: mental health prevention, psychological treatment and involvement, and other activities based on the needs of the population and the pandemic situation.
“The community-wide need for mental health support is on the rise, while our resources for the program are limited. Thus, today marks a milestone in tightening the relationship between the two parties and our strong commitment to work together towards our common goal: to serve our community with the application of psychology. After the ceremony, we will immediately take the next steps to provide the community with practical and timely assistance,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, Rector, in her speech at the ceremony.
Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan sees an opportunity to apply psychology in a practical context.
“USSH, VNU-HCM is one of the leading national academic centers for psychology, while Vietnam Association of Psychology is a professional organization representing psychologists in Vietnam. Therefore, this partnership provides us with opportunities to harness our complementary strengths and resources for activities in the domains of teaching, research, and application of psychology to the dynamics of life," said Prof. Dr. Vu Dung, Chairman of Vietnam Association of Psychology.
Prof. Dr. Vu Dung pledges full support for the Mental Health Vaccine program.
The MoU between USSH, VNU-HCM and Vietnam Association of Psychology sets out matters of agreed principles, reflecting the cooperation by mutual consent between the Parties, and specifying each Party's respective role on the basis of mutual benefit. Each Party shall ensure to comply with state laws in accordance with the regulatory apparatus of both Parties.
Tuong Vy
Translator: My Phung
