The educators and researchers at the seminar shared the view that a Humanities education is important for society, not only today but also in the future
On June 6, Duy Tan University (DTU) held a seminar entitled “Humanities Education in Higher Education” to formulate policies for a Humanities courses and to convert research findings into modern university teaching methods.
The seminar focused on three main topics: Why do we need Humanities courses in a university environment? What is our role as educators and how can our international experience benefit Vietnamese education? What are the best ways to teach Humanities at Vietnamese universities today?
Humanities courses were proposed by Dr. Tran Hai Yen from the Institute of Literature, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, from Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh city, Dr. Tran Thi Anh Nguyet from DTU and Ms. Phan Thi Tra, from Thu Dau Mot University, who suggested that our cultural studies should be integrated with humanitarian education. Furthermore, Associate Professor Ngo Van Gina, from the Hanoi University of Culture, believed that modern Humanities education should also pay close attention to ecological principles.
There were several specific solutions proposed for a Humanities education. Associate Professor Cao Thi Hao, from Thai Nguyen University of Education; Dr. Le Thanh Tu from the Hanoi University of Culture; Mr. Phan Thi Kim and Ms. Le Thi Dieu Mi, from DTU; proposed giving students vocational personality education and entrepreneurship training.
We conceive that the ‘products’ of a university are the graduates, who will have long-term relationships in society and head the families which will then foster the future,” explained Dr. Hoang Thi Huong from the DTU Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. “In other words, we are aware that the graduate is the crucial ‘product’, and that knowledge, technology and an understanding of life in general must be included in our education system to create a harmonious society. In practice, however, DTU, and other institutions must change the current negative public opinion the lifestyles and morals of younger generations, including university graduates. When teachers work with students today, they are faced with myriads of behavioral issues which make it difficult to make them understand what humanism and true values in life really are.”
Forty-eight articles were selected for inclusion into the proceedings, from the 120 articles of 130 authors, working at universities and research institutions all over the country.
(Media Center)