The Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities (HCMUSSH; Vietnamese: Trường Đại học Khoa học Xã hội và Nhân văn, Đại học Quốc gia Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh), or VNU-HCM University of Social Sciences and Humanities, is one of the members of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City system (VNU-HCM).
It holds the 158th position in the QS University Rankings for Asia (QS 2021).[1]
HCMUSSH was formerly known as the College of Letters, University of Saigon (Vietnamese: Trường Đại học Văn khoa, Viện Đại học Sài Gòn).[2] It is later the biggest research and training center in the field of social sciences and humanities in Southern Vietnam.[3] In October 2021, HCMUSSH officially claimed their autonomy in the development strategy.[4]
History
"University of Saigon" redirects here; not to be confused with Saigon University.
After the 1954 Geneva Accords, the French Preparatory College of Letters, an affiliate member of the University of Saigon, was founded in November 1955, marking the establishment of the university. On 1 March 1957, the College of Letters, University of Saigon was officially established.[5]
In April 1976, following national reunification, the College of Letters and the College of Science (which later is The University of Science) merged, forming the University of Ho Chi Minh City, which became the biggest training and basic scientific research center in the South of Vietnam.[6]
The institution became the social sciences and humanities branch in The University of Ho Chi Minh City from 1976 to 1996. On March 30, 1996, under the Decision No. 1233/QĐ-BGD&ĐT of the Ministry of Education and Training, the College of Letters was separated from The University of Ho Chi Minh City, and was renamed as University of Social Sciences and Humanities.[2]
Status
The university has more than 890 faculty members and non-teaching staff. The percentage of the academic staff holding professorial titles or postgraduate degrees is 98.4%. There are more than 22,000 students enrolled in 28 undergraduate programs, 38 postgraduate programs and over 10 joint programs in collaboration with international partners.[2]
As of February 2021, there were 897 officers and lecturers. Amongst the 522 lecturers, there are 44 professors and assistant professors, 211 doctors, 271 masters. Those who have a doctoral degree account for 48% of the total number.[7]
There are hundreds of international lecturers teaching at USSH, VNU - HCM.[7]
Alumni
The university's alumni include some of Vietnam's politicians:
Truong Tan Sang (President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 2011–2016 tenure)
Trương Mỹ Hoa (Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 2022–2007 tenure)
Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh (Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 9/2018–10/2018)
Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân (Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, 2016-2021 tenure)
Võ Văn Thưởng (Member of the Politburo, Standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Secretariat, Head of Central Propaganda Department of the CPV, 2016–2021 tenure).[8]
Among the alumni of the university are the following artists:
