Faculty of Oriental Studies Board of Directors meets new master's students of Asian Studies, Class of 2026, Cohort 1
On August 15, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, organized an orientation meeting for new master's students of Asian Studies, Class of 2026 - Cohort 1, at the Saigon Campus.
The meeting was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, representative of the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Oriental Studies; Nguyen Huynh Duy Khang, Academic Affairs Officer of the Asian Studies Program; and the new master's students of the Class of 2026 – Cohort 1. Notably, the program was honored to have the attendance of Ms. Carolina Tinangon, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to expanding exchange opportunities and international connections for students right from the beginning of the course.
During the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan provided an overview of the Master of Asian Studies program, training orientation, faculty members, and basic requirements during the learning and research process. At the same time, she shared some guidelines on choosing research topics and building a thesis by promoting the interdisciplinary strengths of Asian Studies, linking regional knowledge with practical issues of contemporary Asia.
In the discussion session, new students were encouraged to proactively identify research directions suitable to their abilities, interests, and career orientations; while focusing on interdisciplinary issues with academic value and the ability to connect with practice. This was also an opportunity for students to begin discussing their research interests, learning methods, and ways to connect with faculty members during their studies at the Faculty.
The presence of Ms. Carolina Tinangon, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City, also brought a meaningful space for academic and diplomatic exchange to the meeting. Through this, students had more opportunities to access international connections, especially in research on Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and multicultural and multi-ethnic issues in the region.
Besides the study and research orientation content, the meeting was also an occasion for new students to get acquainted with the Faculty's Board of Directors, academic staff, and the new learning environment. In an intimate and open atmosphere, students actively asked questions, shared their expectations for the training program, and began to connect with each other on their journey of postgraduate study and research.
Concluding the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan extended her best wishes to the new students and expressed her hope that they would promote a proactive, serious, and creative spirit in learning and research; gradually improve their professional capacity, actively integrate internationally, and make practical contributions to the community.
The meeting closed with a commemorative photo session between the Board of Directors of the Faculty, the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City, academic staff, and new students, marking a meaningful start for their journey of study and research in the Asian Studies program.
