On the morning of March 5, the Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (USSH, VNUHCM), organized an exhibition and academic competition titled “Curating Culture Through the EF’s Lens.” The event is part of a series of activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Faculty (1957–2027).
Attending the program were Ms. Koh Bee Ching, Education Consul representing Education Malaysia at the Consulate General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City; Ms. Brett Walkley, Public Affairs Officer from the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Representing the University were Dr. Le Hoang Dung, Vice President, along with leaders of various departments and faculties, as well as faculty members and students.
The exhibition, held in celebration of the Faculty’s 70th anniversary, also served as an academic platform for students majoring in English Linguistics and Literature – Photo: Nhu Thao
In his remarks at the event, Dr. Le Hoang Dung acknowledged the contributions of faculty members and students in improving training quality over the years. He emphasized the importance of language as a key tool for connection in the process of globalization, and affirmed that maintaining specialized academic platforms is essential for equipping students with the competencies needed for international integration.
Regarding the series of activities leading up to the 70th anniversary, he also highly appreciate the strong sense of responsibility demonstrated by participating student groups: “Each exhibited product reflects meticulous preparation, careful refinement, and creative thinking. These outcomes not only represent individual effort but also affirm the Faculty’s training quality and longstanding tradition within the University system.”
Dr. Le Hoang Dung, Vice President of the University, commended the students for their creativity and attention to detail in each competition entry – Photo: Nhu Thao
Ms. Koh Bee Ching, Education Consul representing Education Malaysia, also expressed her appreciation after directly viewing the exhibition entries. She highlighted the students’ creativity in drawing on authentic elements from everyday life for their research topics. According to her, the students’ dedicated efforts helped ensure that the content and cultural narratives behind each project were conveyed clearly and effectively in line with their intended objectives.
Ms. Koh Bee Ching shared her thoughts and recognized the efforts of the competing teams – Photo: Nhu Thao
The exhibition featured the participation of 12 student teams, presenting diverse research topics ranging from film culture, environment, and history to British and American literature. The judging panel, consisting of Dr. Pham Thi Hong An, MA Luong Thien Phuc, and MA Ta Kim Hoang, evaluated the projects based on the accuracy of information and the presentation of the models.
Dr. Nguyen Dang Nguyen, Dean of the Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, affirmed that language studies must always go hand in hand with cultural context. According to him, extracurricular academic activities are an effective way to realize the Faculty’s applied training orientation, helping students understand the role of their discipline in connecting global values while sharpening critical thinking skills. This approach demonstrates that the Faculty not only focuses on academic theory but also prioritizes experiential learning, enabling students to adapt to international environments.
Dr. Nguyen Dang Nguyen emphasized that language proficiency must be accompanied by cultural understanding – Photo: Dang Khoi
Based on the judges’ results, the First Prize was awarded to the team American Histopoly for their Monopoly-style board game inspired by the early exploration of the Americas. The Second Prize went to The VCB team for their visual board showcasing board games and their influence on British and American popular culture.
The Organizing Committee also presented certificates to other participating teams, including The Dolls, 3rd Person, Black Mamba, The Little Detectives, IFA, Cross Wires, CooCoo, TIANA, Retre Fanatics, and Bermuda Trio, in recognition of their research efforts. The teams’ serious investment not only created engaging competition but also contributed fresh perspectives to the study of English language and culture.
The First Prize-winning project “American Histopoly” impressed with its creative integration of history and gameplay – Photo: Dang Khoi
The project “The VCB” received Second Prize for its well-structured presentation on the influence of board games on British and American cultural life across different periods – Photo: Dang Khoi
The event not only marked the Faculty’s upcoming 70th anniversary but also served as an academic forum for students to apply their knowledge of English language and culture to real-life contexts in Vietnam and internationally. Through these practical projects, students had the opportunity to develop analytical thinking and intercultural communication skills in today’s era of integration.
This also stands as clear evidence of the dedication of the University and Faculty in continuously innovating and creating optimal conditions for students to achieve comprehensive development, both intellectually and skill-wise.
Some additional photos from the program:
DANG KHOI – NHU THAO
TRANSLATED BY: TIEN VU
