International Scientific Seminar | Diplomacy in Practice: Perspectives from Pakistan in a Changing International Order
On the morning of May 9, 2026, the Faculty of History and International Relations, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City successfully organized the international scientific seminar "Diplomacy in Practice: Perspectives from Pakistan in a Changing International Order". The seminar was honored by the presence of H.E. Kohdayar Marri - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to Vietnam, Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky - Deputy Dean of the Faculty of History and International Relations, along with lecturers and students of the Faculty of History and International Relations.
Photo: Lecturers and students of the Faculty of History and International Relations posing for a commemorative photo with H.E. Ambassador Kohdayar Marri
Delivering the opening speech at the seminar, a representative of the Faculty Board, Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky, affirmed: "Today's seminar holds significant importance in promoting the spirit of research and critical thinking among students, while also creating conditions for students to participate more in practical diplomatic activities". At the same time, the Faculty also expressed deep gratitude for the Ambassador's presence and believes that his precious attendance acts as a "living textbook" for students to have the opportunity to learn diplomatic knowledge from vivid reality.
Photo: Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky - Deputy Dean of the Faculty of History and International Relations delivering the opening speech
Photo: H.E. Ambassador Kohdayar Marri and Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky posing for a commemorative photo at the seminar
In the first part of the sharing session, the Ambassador chose to recount his own childhood stories when mentioning political upheavals in the 1970s - 1980s, a time that prompted his family to leave their homeland and migrate through many countries. During that time, he had the opportunity to live in diplomatic areas and study with the children of diplomats, which made interacting with politicians and the international political environment no longer too strange. Through those experiences, he emphasized the role of a childhood lived in a diplomatic environment in shaping confidence in high-level relationships as well as broadening his own political vision for the future.
Photo: H.E. Ambassador Kohdayar Marri presenting at the seminar
Besides that, the Ambassador did not forget to mention art, architecture, and photography as personal passions that contributed to creating many diverse colors in his career journey. He shared that, after returning to Pakistan, he chose to become an architect instead of immediately entering the path of politics. That journey opened up opportunities for him to rediscover his national culture, thereby realizing that having traveled to many places before returning to his homeland helped him have the conditions to observe and understand the issues in his own country more deeply.
Photo: H.E. Ambassador Kohdayar Marri presenting at the seminar
After the Ambassador's sharing, the Q&A session took place lively with many profound exchanges between him and the students. When asked about scholarship opportunities and student exchange, the Ambassador shared that he always wishes to promote more strongly academic exchange opportunities between the two countries, both in online and in-person forms. He expressed: "It would be wonderful if students had the opportunity to come to Pakistan to experience and find themselves, because I myself also gained many valuable experiences thanks to traveling and studying abroad". Through this, H.E. Kohdayar Marri emphasized that strengthening educational scholarship programs and exchanges between Vietnamese and Pakistani students and lecturers will be one of his top priorities in the coming time.
Photo: Students listening and presenting their perspectives in the exchange session with H.E. Ambassador Kohdayar Marri
When asked about the ability of the young generation to participate in promoting people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries, the Ambassador affirmed: "The future depends on your enthusiasm, dynamism, and understanding". According to him, the young generation plays an especially important role in continuing to strengthen and develop the diplomatic bridge between Vietnam and Pakistan. Because, diplomatic relations are only truly sustainable and effective when there is a connection between people and people, between this culture and another culture. Through this, he wishes for the young generation to clearly recognize their role in promoting bilateral relations, thereby joining hands to build a Vietnam - Pakistan relationship that is increasingly good and tighter.
Photo: H.E. Ambassador Kohdayar Marri presenting at the seminar
With sincere sharing from his personal journey along with closeness in interacting with students, the International Scientific Seminar "Diplomacy in Practice: Perspectives from Pakistan in a Changing International Order" brought profound and practical perspectives on the field of Diplomacy as well as the Vietnam - Pakistan relationship in the current context. At the same time, through the program, the Ambassador expressed belief in the Vietnamese youth, especially the youth of the Faculty of History and International Relations in particular, and the "Nguoi Nhan van" youth in general in utilizing the advantages of their major to participate in research and international exchange, thereby joining hands to create a bridge between the two countries. The Ambassador's sharing also contributed to clarifying the mediating role of Pakistan in the context of the current US - Israel and Iran conflict, while explaining the motivations driving Pakistan to become one of the leading countries contributing to the peacekeeping activities of the United Nations. Through this, the seminar was not only an opportunity for students to meet and listen to sharing from a senior diplomat, but also a place where international relations theories were realized through stories, experiences, and practical perspectives full of value from a diplomat himself.
Photo: Lecturers and students of the Faculty of History and International Relations posing for a commemorative photo with H.E. Ambassador Kohdayar Marri
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DIPLOMACY IN PRACTICE: PERSPECTIVES FROM PAKISTAN IN A CHANGING INTERNATIONAL ORDER
On the morning of May 9, 2026, the Faculty of History and International Relations, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, successfully organized the International Scientific Seminar titled "Diplomacy in Practice: Perspectives from Pakistan in a Changing International Order." The seminar was honored by the presence of H.E. Kohdayar Marri, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to Vietnam; Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of History and International Relations; along with lecturers and students of the Faculty.
In his opening remarks, representing the Faculty’s Board of Management, Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky emphasized: "Today’s seminar holds great significance in fostering students’ spirit of research and critical thinking, while also creating opportunities for them to engage more actively in practical diplomatic activities." The Faculty also expressed its sincere gratitude for the Ambassador’s presence, believing that his participation served as a "living textbook," offering students valuable opportunities to learn diplomatic knowledge directly from real-world experiences.
In the first part of the seminar, Ambassador Kohdayar Marri shared stories from his childhood while reflecting on the political upheavals of the 1970s and 1980s — a period that compelled his family to leave their homeland and migrate across several countries. During those years, he had the opportunity to live in diplomatic communities and study alongside the children of diplomats, which made interactions with politicians and the international political environment a familiar part of his life from an early age. Through these experiences, the Ambassador highlighted how growing up in a diplomatic environment shaped his confidence in high-level relationships and broadened his political perspective for the future.
In addition, the Ambassador spoke about art, architecture, and photography as personal passions that added vibrant dimensions to his professional journey. He shared that after returning to Pakistan, he chose to pursue a career as an architect rather than immediately entering politics. This path allowed him to rediscover his national culture and realize that traveling and living in many different places before returning home had given him a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the issues facing his own country.
Following the Ambassador’s presentation, the Q&A session unfolded enthusiastically, featuring many meaningful and in-depth exchanges between him and the students. When asked about scholarship opportunities and student exchange programs, the Ambassador stated that he strongly wished to further promote academic exchanges between Vietnam and Pakistan, both online and in person. He remarked: "It would be wonderful if students had the opportunity to come to Pakistan to explore and discover themselves, because I myself gained many valuable experiences through traveling and studying abroad." Through this, Ambassador Kohdayar Marri emphasized that expanding educational scholarships and exchange programs between Vietnamese and Pakistani students and lecturers would be one of his top priorities in the near future.
When discussing the role of young people in promoting people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries, the Ambassador affirmed: "The future depends on your enthusiasm, dynamism, and understanding." According to him, the younger generation plays an especially important role in strengthening and developing the diplomatic bridge between Vietnam and Pakistan. Diplomatic relations, he noted, can only become sustainable and effective when there is genuine connection between people and between cultures. Therefore, he encouraged young people to recognize their role in advancing bilateral relations and to work together toward building an increasingly strong and enduring partnership between Vietnam and Pakistan.
Through heartfelt personal stories and warm interactions with students, the International Scientific Seminar "Diplomacy in Practice: Perspectives from Pakistan in a Changing International Order" offered profound and practical insights into diplomacy and Vietnam–Pakistan relations in the contemporary context. Through the program, Ambassador Kohdayar Marri also expressed his confidence in Vietnamese youth, particularly students of the Faculty of History and International Relations and the wider youth community of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, in utilizing their academic strengths to engage in research and international exchange, thereby contributing to building bridges between the two nations.
The Ambassador’s sharing also shed light on Pakistan’s mediating role amid the current U.S.-Israel and Iran tensions, while explaining the motivations behind Pakistan becoming one of the leading contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Ultimately, the seminar was not only an opportunity for students to meet and learn from a senior diplomat, but also a space where theories of international relations were vividly brought to life through valuable real-world experiences, stories, and perspectives from diplomacy in practice.
