International Scientific Conference: East-West Cultural and Educational Heritage

The seminar aims to enhance academic exchange and promote awareness of the enduring value of educational heritage.

Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang, Chairman of the Science and Training Council of Hanoi National University, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, spoke at the seminar. Photo: Hoang Lan.

The seminar opened an intercultural dialogue between two iconic 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. The event aimed to evoke a deep awareness of the role of educational heritage in shaping national identity and human character, while expanding the vision of integration, connecting tradition with innovation in the context of globalization.

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 also a place to foster many good traditional values of the nation such as the tradition of respecting teachers, respecting talented people and learning. Those traditions have created the value of Vietnamese ethics, contributing to the construction and development of the country throughout history. The Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam 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. Le Thi Anh 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.

At the seminar, Vietnamese and American scientists focused on analyzing, comparing and discussing 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 that promotes critical thinking, personal autonomy, encourages creativity and links knowledge with practice, aiming at global citizens.

Scientists present papers at the seminar. Photo: Hoang Lan

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 discussions at the seminar, the public understood more clearly the core values of Eastern and Western educational cultures. Specifically, Eastern educational culture focuses on morality, etiquette, inner cultivation, community spirit and the inheritance of tradition - 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 for independent and active citizens.

The seminar was attended by speakers and scholars from Vietnam and the United States, 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://hanoimoi.vn/toa-dam-khoa-hoc-quoc-te-di-san-giao-duc-va-van-hoa-dong-tay-721954.html