Success of the Delegation of the University of Gdansk in Vietnam
The cooperation between the University of Gdańsk and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH, Vietnamese National University) in Hanoi has been going on for over 10 years, and particularly fruitful cooperation takes place between the Institute of Psychology of the University of Gdańsk and the Faculty of Psychology of the USSH under a bilateral agreement regarding the exchange of university staff, conducting joint research projects and joint publications on an international forum.
This year, on 1-2 November in Hanoi, an international conference was held entitled "Healthy behavior in modern society" organized by the University of Gdańsk, USSH and the National Institute of Mental Health in Hanoi. The chair of the scientific committee was prof. Małgorzata Lipowska together with prof. Nguyễn Hữu Thụ, and the chair of the organizing committee was prof. Joanna Różycka-Tran (UG), together with prof. Nguyễn Văn Kim (USSH) and Dr. Nguyễn Doãn Phương (National Institute of Health in Hanoi). The honorary patronage of the conference was taken by the Rectors of both universities, Dean of the University of Gdańsk prof. Tadeusz Dmochowski and the Director of the Institute of Psychology prof. Mariola Bidzan.
During the conference, almost 50 papers concerning the healthy behavior in modern society were presented. The symposia gathered scientists and practitioners from Europe and Asia. The participants were exchanging interests, ideas and experiences in various health-related fields such as psychology, social sciences, medicine and economics. In addition to providing a comprehensive picture of health behaviors, issues related to healthcare policies and systems in various countries were also presented. The chairmen of the conference emphasized that health behaviors are now a global problem, therefore cooperation is necessary to exchange experiences also promoting international cooperation in the field of health care.
Some interesting papers were published in the special thematic issue of Health Psychology Report "When West meets East: Healthy Behavior in Modern Society", edited by prof. Joanna Różycka-Tran and prof. Trương Thị Khánh Hà.
As part of the conference, there was also an official meeting between the authorities of both universities, aimed at strengthening and directing further academic cooperation, with the support of the Polish Embassy in Hanoi, represented by Mr. Amabasador Wojciech Gerwel. The University of Gdańsk authorities were represented by: Dean of the University of Gdańsk prof. Tadeusz Dmochowski, Vice-Dean of the University of Gdańsk prof. Małgorzata Lipowska and Director of the Institute of Psychology Mariola Bidzan. The meeting was also attended by prof. Joanna Różycka-Tran and dr Paweł Jurek from the Institute of Psychology of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Mariusz Lipowski from the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk and Capt. Trần Anh Quân from the Maritime University of Gdynia.
As part of pre-conference activities, many lectures were also held in various fields of knowledge: prof. Tadeusz Dmochowski gave a lecture on Russian-Chinese relations, prof. Małgorzata Lipowska gave a lecture on the updated classification of clinical disorders of children, prof. Mariola Bidzan presented psychological problems related to premature children, and dr Paweł Jurek and prof. Różycka-Tran conducted a full-day methodological workshop. UG's PhD student Paulina Anikiej was also among the conference participants.
Rector of the USSH prof. Phạm Quang Minh expressed the opinion that UG's cooperation with USSH is the most fruitful cooperation among all European university partners.
Prof. Tadeusz Dmochowski had an official meeting with the Vice-Rector of the USSH, prof. Nguyễn Văn Kim. Both authorities were talking about potential historical and political science cooperation. The conversation concerned similarities in historical and political events in the difficult history of Poland and Vietnam.
Academics from the University of Gdańsk also effectively cooperate with other Vietnamese universities under a bilateral agreements. One of the scientific seminars was held at the Institute of Psychology of the Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) in Hanoi, where prof. Joanna Różycka-Tran and dr Paweł Jurek discussed cultural determinants of social behavior. Deputy Director of the Institute of Psychology VASS - prof Hào van Lê was already invited by University of Gdansk as visiting professor, together with prof Trương Thị Khánh Hà – Dean of Faculty of Psychology USSH.
Academics from University of Gdansk cooperate not only in Hanoi, but also in Saigon – this year it was decided to sign another bilateral agreement on academic cooperation.
Authorities of the University of Gdańsk participated in the official meeting with the authorities of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam - represented by the Rector prof. Ngô Thị Phương Lan.
The official meeting took place on October 18, 2019 at the headquarters of the USSH HCMC in Saigon. The university authorities were represented by the Vice-Dean of the University of Gdańsk prof. Małgorzata Lipowska and Director of the Institute of Psychology prof. Mariola Bidzan. The meeting was also attended by prof. Joanna Różycka-Tran from the Institute of Psychology and the Center of East Asian Studies UG, prof. Mariusz Lipowski from the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk, and Capt. Trần Anh Quân from the Maritime University of Gdynia. The first project in the field of organizational psychology under the direction of dr Paweł Jurek is already underway.
University of Gdańsk also supports other Gdańsk universities in establishing cooperation with Vietnam. On October 31, 2019, the Vice-Dean of the University of Gdańsk prof. Małgorzata Lipowska, prof. Joanna Różycka-Tran from the Institute of Psychology of the University of Gdańsk and Capt. Trần Anh Quân actively supported the signing of the agreement between the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk and the Department of Sport of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism in Vietnam. The agreement was signed by the Director of the Department Vương Bích Thắng and the Rector of AWFiS in Gdańsk prof. Waldemar Moska, represented by prof. Mariusz Lipowski. The agreement was signed with the support of the Polish Embassy in Hanoi represented by Ambassador Wojciech Gerwel and Maciej Duszyński, head of the Political and Economic Department. This is a unique event, because it is extremely rare for the Ministry of Vietnam to sign an international agreement directly with the university.
After intensive work, there was also one day off for short travelling and enjoying Vietnam!
Author: Joanna Różycka-Tran (joanna.tran@ug.edu.pl)
