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". Attending the seminar was H.E. Kohdayar Marri - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to Viet Nam, Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky - Deputy Dean of the Faculty of History and International Relations, along with lecturers of the Faculty of History and International Relations.

Photo: Lecturers and students of the Faculty of History and International Relations taking a commemorative photo with Ambassador Kohdayar Marri

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, representative of the Faculty Board, Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky affirmed: "Today's seminar is of great significance 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 presence of the Ambassador and believed that his valuable attendance played the role of 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 giving the opening speech

Photo: Ambassador Kohdayar Marri and Dr. Nguyen Vu Ky taking a commemorative photo at the seminar

At the beginning of the sharing session, the Ambassador chose to tell his own childhood story when referring to the political upheavals in the 1970s - 1980s, the time that pushed 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 contact with politicians and the international political environment no longer strange. Through those experiences, he emphasized the role of a childhood lived in a diplomatic environment in shaping self-confidence in high-level relationships as well as expanding his political vision for the future.

Photo: Ambassador Kohdayar Marri presenting at the seminar

Besides that, the Ambassador also 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 the national culture, thereby realizing that having traveled to many places before returning to his homeland helped him have the conditions to observe and understand more deeply the problems in his own country.

Photo: Ambassador Kohdayar Marri presenting at the seminar

After the Ambassador's sharing session, the Q&A session took place excitingly with many deep exchanges between him and the students. When asked about scholarship opportunities and student exchange, the Ambassador shared that he always wants to strongly promote academic exchange opportunities between the two countries, both online and in person. He expressed: "It would be wonderful if students had the opportunity to come to Pakistan to experience and find themselves, because I myself have also gained many valuable experiences thanks to traveling and studying abroad". Thereby, Ambassador 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 views in the exchange session with Ambassador Kohdayar Marri

When asked about the ability of the young generation to promote 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 a particularly important role in continuing to consolidate and develop the diplomatic bridge between Viet Nam and Pakistan. Because, diplomatic relations are only truly sustainable and effective when there is a connection between people, between this culture and another culture. Thereby, he wants the young generation to clearly realize their role in promoting bilateral relations, thereby joining hands to build an increasingly better and tighter Viet Nam - Pakistan relationship.

Photo: 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 Diplomacy as well as the Viet Nam - Pakistan relationship in the current context. At the same time, through the program, the Ambassador expressed his belief in Vietnamese youth, especially the youth of the Faculty of History and International Relations in particular, and the "Nguoi Nhan van" spirit in general in taking advantage of the strengths of the field of study to participate in research and international exchanges, thereby joining hands to build a bridge between the two countries. The Ambassador's sharing also contributed to clarifying the intermediary role of Pakistan in the context of the current US - Israel and Iran conflict, and at the same time explained the motivations for Pakistan to become one of the leading countries contributing to the United Nations peacekeeping activities. Thereby, the seminar is not only an opportunity for students to meet and listen to sharing from a senior diplomat, but also a place where international relations theories are 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 taking a commemorative photo with 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 Viet Nam; 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 Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam–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.