USSH 2024 IMPRESSIONS

The year 2024 concluded with remarkable achievements and a series of meaningful events at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM). This year has not only marked proud milestones but also paved the way for active international integration and sustainable development in the future.

Diverse Cultural and Commemorative Events

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNUHCM, marked a vibrant 2024 with numerous significant events.

For the first time, USSH organized a mascot design contest, which was enthusiastically embraced by a lot of students. After a rigorous evaluation process, the "USSH Squirrel" by Tran Thi Bao Vi, a student from the Faculty of Cultural Studies, was officially selected as the university's mascot. The intelligent, agile, and friendly squirrel not only represents the spirit of "Humans of USSH" but also symbolizes dynamism and creativity in the modern era.

Earlier this year, the USSH Party Committee officially inaugurated the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space at the Thu Duc campus, marking a new step in creating a comprehensive educational environment that nurtures the human spirit among USSH educators and students.

The spirit of gratitude was also highlighted in 2024 through the celebration of the 42nd Anniversary of Vietnamese Teachers' Day. This special occasion brought together generations of lecturers, staff, and employees to reflect on their journey of dedication. The event was a great source of encouragement, fueling the passion of the USSH educators on their journey of training and development.

In addition to fostering spiritual values, the university also focused on supporting students in their career paths. The USSH JOB FAIR 2024 continued to build a bridge between students and the job markets, helping them shape their careers positively and effectively. The event provided students with a valuable opportunity to connect with leading enterprises, explore various industries, and build professional networks.

Moreover, 2024 witnessed the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Korean Studies and the Faculty of Oriental Studies, which have significantly contributed to the University’s cultural bridging and international cooperation. This milestone enabled the University to look back on its proud journey, reaffirming its pioneering role in training high-quality human resources and enhancing Vietnam’s cultural exchanges with other nations in the region. Additionally, USSH celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Library and Information Science and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Education, honoring their remarkable contributions to research, teaching, and community service.

Cultural highlights continued with vibrant and distinctive events. The "Song Doi" (Twin Waves, literal translation) Cultural Week 2024 and the Vietnamese Traditional Costume Festival "Toc Xanh Vat Ao" (Green Hair and Lapel, literal translation) Season 4 honored the traditional beauty of Vietnam, while the Songkran Festival 2024 brought a colorful space, introducing Thai culture to students and the community. The World Hindi Day 2024 showcased the rich culture and heritage of India, while the International Francophonie Day offered students access to valuable resources and career orientation.

In sports, the VNUHCM Student Sports Festival provided an avenue for students to showcase their talents, learn, and develop both physically and mentally. USSH successfully hosted the football competition in the festival, creating a healthy positive sports environment.

Closing a dynamic year, the University organized over 20 large-scale and small-scale events, serving as platforms for physical training, cultural exchange, and entertainment. These events embodied the University's educational philosophy of “Whole person – Liberal – Multicultural education”, fostering a vibrant and creative Humans of USSH community.

Student-centred Service

As a leading institution in social sciences in Southern Vietnam and across the country, USSH’s admission information has always received great public interest. On April 25, 2024, the University officially announced its 2024 admissions plan. For the 2024-2025 academic year, USSH plans to admit 4,491 students nationwide across 37 majors under two main modes of training: standard full-time programs and international-standard full-time programs.

To provide timely and accurate information about its 2024 admission plan to students and parents, USSH organized various Careers Advice and Recruitment activities throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. The in-person and online recruitment activities were held from January to July 2024. The University also diversified and innovated its promotional materials about full-time undergraduate programs, notably the "USSH Deep Talk" video series and a Careers Advice and Admissions handbook published in collaboration with Tuoi Tre and Thanh Nien newspapers.

Pioneering Research and International Collaboration

In 2024, USSH continued to affirm its pioneering position in research and international collaboration. Through a series of prominent activities, the university expanded its influence and made strong contributions to knowledge development and global connectivity.

The International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities 2024 (USSH-ICSSH 2024) was a prime example. This event not only celebrated the university’s coming 70th anniversary of establishment and development, but also provided a platform for scholars and experts worldwide to exchange outstanding research. Topics ranged from digital transformation in education and the role of humanities in sustainable development to international cultural exchange—creating a dynamic knowledge forum that delivered immense value to academia and the community. 

Additionally, the AUN Summer Program 2024 left a significant mark by elevating USSH students to a regional level. Students from 10 ASEAN countries had the opportunity to interact, visit USSH Tradition Hall and USSH History-Culture Museum, and discuss the role of youth in addressing climate change. The program not only helped international students understand Vietnamese culture better but also enhanced regional educational cooperation and youth connectivity in Asia.

Beyond these academic activities, 2024 saw a rise in international integration, with 72 cooperation activities and 30 meetings and signing ceremonies. The university hosted representatives from around the world, from Ambassadors of Spain and Peru, to delegations from leading universities such as Bestari (Malaysia), Kanto Gakuin (Japan), and Deakin (Australia). These engagements opened diverse collaboration opportunities and contributed to building a sustainable global network.

These milestones not only underscore the university’s stature but also reaffirm its pioneering role in research and global integration. As a brilliant year comes to a close, new opportunities emerge for the university’s journey toward internationalization.

Community Service Responsibility

The impact of Typhoon Yagi and the subsequent floods caused severe damage in Northern Vietnam. In response, the university canceled its 2024-2025 Opening Ceremony scheduled on September 27, 2024, and allocated the 100,000,000 VND budget to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to support affected people in the North of VietNam. 

This decision received widespread support from the community, with around 16,000 reactions, 792 comments, and 1,900 shares on USSH official fan page. The information also quickly spread across media channels, reinforcing the USSH Spirit in standing with the people during difficult times.

The year 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the Spring Volunteer Campaign, an initiative launched by USSH aimed at spreading love and sharing to underprivileged families during the Lunar New Year. To commemorate this meaningful milestone, the university hosted a special celebration on the afternoon of November 3, 2024, at Van Khoa Hall. The event included the 20-Year Anniversary Ceremony of the Spring Volunteer Campaign  as well as the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Campaign.

Over two decades of development, the campaign has brought support to residents in various regions across the country, including the Mekong Delta, Southeastern Vietnam, Central Highlands, Central Coastal Area, and Ho Chi Minh City. The 2024 Spring Volunteer campaign operated with a total budget of over VND 1,451 billion, mobilizing more than 1,300 student volunteers from 29 teams across 13 provinces and cities—all of whom successfully completed their missions and returned safely.

As the cool breeze of early spring marks the arrival of the Spring Volunteer Campaign, the blazing summer signals the departure of the Green Summer Volunteer Campaign. On July 8, 2024, over 600 volunteers participated in the Launching Ceremony of the 2024 Green Summer Campaign. The event captured the enthusiastic spirit of students and heartfelt encouragement from university leaders. Traditional rituals, including the presentation of scarves, flags, and an official call to action, were conducted with solemnity and pride.

The 2024 Green Summer Campaign attracted over 600 students divided into 01 core team and 17 extended teams. Their activities spanned across Ho Chi Minh City, Dak Nong, and Ben Tre. Additionally, two student volunteers took part in missions in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and one served on Phu Quy Island in Binh Thuan. Representatives from 18 volunteer teams pledged their full commitment to making meaningful contributions to local communities.

In addition to the two major campaigns, the University also participated in a safe water donation initiative for drought ridden localities. On April 14, 2024, Professor Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President of USSH, and Dr. Pham Thanh Duy, Head of the Office of Administrative Affairs, represented the “Safe Water for Deprived Areas” program by delivering safe water to several communes in Can Duoc and Can Giuoc districts in Long An. The initiative was organized by the Saemaul Undong Rural Development Center in collaboration with the University’s Women Intellectuals Association.

Through these impactful efforts, USSH continues to affirm its unwavering commitment to social responsibility. Beyond bringing profound humanitarian values, these charity activities created a space for USSH students to connect, gain experience, and build lasting memories under the roof of USSH.

Humans of USSH Achievements 

The year 2024 was a remarkable chapter for the USSH, highlighted by significant accomplishments from its faculty and student community.

In a proud milestone, Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President of USSH, was officially promoted to the rank of Professor in 2024. Meanwhile, Dr. Le Thi Ngoc Diep, Party Committee Secretary and Chairwoman of the University Council, was conferred the title of Associate Professor.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan was elected as the new President of the ASEAN Teacher Education Network (AsTEN) during the 17th AsTEN Presidents’ Council Meeting held in Singapore.

Her string of achievements continued on October 23, when she was honored with the title of Honorary Citizen of Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. She became the fifth non-Korean recipient, the first Vietnamese citizen, and notably, the first Southeast Asian woman to be awarded this prestigious title.

At the 2024 Meritorious Teachers Award Ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Education and Training on November 17, Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan was among 252 teachers honoured with the “Outstanding Teachers” title by the Ministry of Education and Training.

USSH faculties and staff also garnered numerous accolades throughout the year:

• Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky, Head of the Department of Japanese Politics - Economy at the Faculty of Japanese Studies, won First Prize in the 2024 National Science and Technology Awards for Young University Lecturers. He was also honoured with the “Outstanding Young Teachers” title at the fourth Outstanding Young Teachers Awards at the city level and one of nine outstanding scientists to be honored with Khue Van Cac Award in 2024.
• Dr. Phan Thi Anh Thu, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Korean Studies, was honored as “Lecturer of the Year” by the President of VNUHCM and was also named a “Outstanding Young Teacher”  title at the fourth Outstanding Young Teachers Awards at the city level.
• Dr. Nguyen Van Tuong earned the “Outstanding Young Teacher” at the fifth Outstanding Young Teachers Awards at the central level.
• Mr. Ho Ngoc Hieu (Faculty of Oriental Studies) and Mr. Ho Tieu Bao (Faculty of Tourism)—were also recognized with the “Outstanding Young Teacher” award at the city level.
• Ms. Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu, a staff member at the Center for Mental Health Research and Support, was honored as “Outstanding Officer of the Year” by the President of VNUHCM.
   

Last but not least, the University’s young staff delegation also secured a Third Prize and a Consolation Prize in Category 8 of the “Light of the Era” Competition on Understanding Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology.

These honors reflect not only individual excellence but also the collective effort of USSH's faculty and staff in advancing research, teaching, and community service—solidifying the University’s pioneering position in Vietnam's higher education.

USSH students also made 2024 a year of distinction, with notable achievements across academics, research, and extracurricular endeavors.

At the 26th Eureka Student Scientific Research Awards, USSH students left a strong impression with many prestigious awards such as the First Prize in the Architecture and Urban Planning with their research on traffic congestion solutions in Thu Duc City conducted by a group of Urban Studies students, Consolation Prizes in the Arts - Culture and Resources - Environment categories, which further underscored the creativity and scientific mindset of USSH students.

In academic and student activities, USSH students continued to shine:

• The CKT Art Performance Club earned high honors at the VNUHCM Student Music Festival.
• The USSH, VNUHCM boat racing team won a Consolation Prize at the 2024 District 3 Ngo Boat Race Festival.
• The Big Boom Dance Team triumphed as champion at the Dalat Best Dance Crew – Hoa Sen Home International Cup.

Typically, Le Van Phuc, a student from the Faculty of Geography, was named one of Top 9 2023 Vietnamese Outstanding Young Faces —a testament to the University’s vibrant and dynamic student generation.

These accomplishments are not only a pride but also a powerful inspiration, encouraging USSH students to continue exploring, innovating, and contributing on their journey of learning and personal growth.

Driving a Green University Initiative

The year 2024 marked the 5th anniversary of the Green University Initiative launched by USSH. First implemented in May 2019, the program is structured into three progressive phases: the Green Awareness (2018–2022), the Green Action (2022–2026), and the forthcoming Green Culture (2026–2030).

This year, the initiative continued to leave a strong impression with a series of practical activities held on the occasion of “Humans of USSH building a Green University” . Faculty members, staff, and students cleaning the Anh Duong Lake, campus benches, and the garden at the Thu Duc campus sent a powerful message about the importance of leading and embracing a sustainable lifestyle.

On December 31, 2024, the University held a five-year review conference for the Green University Initiative (2019–2024), celebrating a number of notable achievements. 

Green space at USSH’s Garden, the renovated multipurpose sports center, and the students’ broad participation in Green Summer activities, among others, were highlighted as symbols of the University's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship for Humans of USSH and community.

The Green University program continues to implement concrete environmental protection activities, orienting to sustainable development, fostering a culture of eco-conscious living not only within the University but also the wider society.

As the Year of the Dragon comes to a close, USSH celebrates a year of meaningful initiatives and proud accomplishments. These milestones set a strong foundation for the university to soar even higher in the coming academic year—as it continues its journey of learning and development to reaffirm its position as a leading institution in the upcoming academic year.

Welcome Year of the Snake 2025!

 

Translation by KHÁNH LINH