East-West academic exchange at the heritage space of the Temple of Literature

The event is one of the outstanding activities in the Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2025 series, aiming to create a space for academic exchange on communication and adaptation between cultures, especially in the field of traditional and modern education .

The discussion opened an intercultural dialogue between two typical educational icons: the Imperial Academy of Thang Long - representing the spirit of studiousness, morality and courtesy of the East; and Columbia University (USA) - the embodiment of liberal thinking, creativity and academic freedom of the West. At the same time, it aimed to evoke a deep awareness of the role of educational heritage in the formation of national identity and human character, while expanding the vision of integration, connecting tradition with innovation in the context of globalization.

Scene of the discussion "East-West cultural and educational heritage".

Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Le Thi Anh Mai shared: " The Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam was established in the late 11th century, under the Ly Dynasty. Through the dynasties, the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam became the highest educational center, a place to train thousands of talented people for the country, and at the same time, a place to foster many good traditional values of the nation such as the tradition of respecting teachers, respecting talented people and loving learning.

Those traditions have created the value of Vietnamese philosophy, contributing to the construction and development of the country throughout history. The Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy educates people based on the foundation of etiquette and morality, taking self-cultivation as the foundation for learners, with the main ideology of education taking humanity as the root.

According to Ms. Mai, in the context of Vietnam entering a new era, innovation in thinking, especially in the field of education, is very important to meet the needs of training human resources to serve the country's development. Traditional education needs to be seen as a lesson, an experience for new educational solutions and thinking. Learning and exchanging experiences in education with developed countries is extremely meaningful.

The discussion recorded many opinions from experts and scientists from Vietnam and the United States, focusing on analysis, comparison and dialogue around three major groups of topics: The organizational model and educational methods of Quoc Tu Giam and Columbia University; Quoc Tu Giam Thang Long - an education system that promotes courtesy, morality, self-cultivation and service to society; Columbia University (USA) - a liberal education model, promoting critical thinking, personal autonomy, encouraging creativity and linking knowledge with practice, aiming at global citizens.

Scientists present papers at the seminar.

In addition, scientists and educators from the two countries also discussed the role of Han Nom and literature research in academia and cultural exchange; and directions for research cooperation between Vietnamese universities and research institutes with Columbia University.

From the opinions shared at the discussion, the public understood more clearly the core values of Eastern and Western educational culture. Specifically, Eastern educational culture focuses on morality, etiquette, inner cultivation, community spirit and tradition inheritance - taking knowledge as the path to perfecting personality and contributing to society.

Meanwhile, Western educational culture emphasizes individual autonomy, critical thinking, creativity and practical effectiveness - knowledge linked to action, aiming at independent and active citizens.

The seminar was attended by experts and scientists including: Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang, Chairman of the Science and Training Council of Hanoi National University, Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Vice President of the National Cultural Heritage Council, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Historical Science Association; Dr. Dinh Thanh Hieu, Head of the Department of Han Nom, Faculty of Literature, Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Hang, Director of the East Asia Institute; Dr. John Phan, Researcher of East Asian Culture and Language, Columbia University; Mr. Tony Bui, director and film researcher, East Asia Center, Columbia University.

Source: https://congluan.vn/giao-luu-hoc-thuat-dong-tay-tai-khong-gian-di-san-van-mieu-quoc-tu-giam-10316421.html