The master's thesis proposal approval session for students of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 cohorts in the Asian Studies program, Faculty of Oriental Studies – Japanese Studies, took place on May 14, 2026, at room B013, Dinh Tien Hoang campus, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. The activity was organized in accordance with Decision No. 723/QĐ-XHNV-QLĐT dated May 4, 2026, by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, on the establishment of the Master's Thesis Proposal Approval Subcommittee, consisting of: Assoc. Prof. PhD. Phan Thi Hong Xuan – Head of Subcommittee; PhD. Nguyen Thanh Tuan – Member; PhD. Huynh Phuong Anh – Secretary.
The proposal approval session was organized to assist students in clearly defining their research approach, thesis structure, implementation methods, and system of reference materials. Through critical feedback and professional advice from the Council, students gained a solid foundation to further refine their proposals and implement their theses according to the training schedule.
During the session, students presented various topics focusing on fields such as political ideology, traditional culture, beliefs and religion, linguistics, social policy, international relations, and contemporary issues in many Asian countries, particularly India, Japan, Thailand, China, and Viet Nam.
The topics demonstrated students' interest in both academic depth and practical application, ranging from research on cultural identity, heritage, and residential communities to issues of gender, cultural diplomacy, social change, and development trends in the context of globalization. The Approval Council provided numerous professional suggestions regarding the refinement of thesis titles, defining research questions, theoretical frameworks, approaches, reference sources, and content implementation directions for each specific topic.
Following the session, graduate students have one week to edit and finalize their thesis titles and proposals according to the Council's feedback. Based on the research orientation of each topic, the Council will also advise and propose suitable full-time lecturers with appropriate expertise to supervise graduate students during the thesis implementation process. In necessary cases, inviting lecturers or experts from outside the institution to participate in supervision will be carried out in accordance with the University's regulations.
The academic exchanges and critiques at the approval session not only contributed to enhancing the quality of students' research but also created a positive academic environment, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and independent research capacity in the postgraduate training of the Asian Studies program.
Below are some images from the proposal approval session.
