International Scientific Conference on Social Work Co-hosted by Campus II, University of Labour and Social Affairs & the University of Science and Education – The University of Danang

On the morning of March 20, 2025, at the Huu Nghi Hall, Khue Van Building, the University of Science and Education - The University of Da Nang commenced the Opening Ceremony of the International Scientific Conference themed: "Social Work for Positive Human Development: Theory and Practice."

The event was co-organized by the University of Science and Education - The University of Da Nang in collaboration with the University of Labour and Social Affairs – Campus II, Udon Thani Rajabhat University (Thailand), Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (India), and the Daegu Social Welfare Council (South Korea).

The conference attracted nearly 400 delegates, including scholars, experts, lecturers, and students from higher education institutions, research organizations, and management agencies both domestically and internationally.

The conference is part of a series of activities commemorating the 9th Vietnam Social Work Day (March 25, 2025) and leading up to the 50th-anniversary milestone of the University of Science and Education – The University of Danang. Notably, the event held profound significance as it took place on the International Day of Happiness (March 20), helping to spread the message of practicing positive behaviors towards a happy and sustainably developed society.

The conference involved nearly 400 scholars, experts, social work practitioners, lecturers, and students from higher education institutions, research organizations, and management agencies at home and abroad, including international scholars from the United States, India, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Vice Rector of the University of Science and Education - The University of Da Nang, delivers the opening speech.

Delivering the opening remarks, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Vice Rector of the University of Science and Education - The University of Da Nang and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, emphasized the crucial role of social work in promoting positive human development and building a humane, sustainable society. He also expressed hope that the conference would serve as a beneficial scientific forum where delegates could discuss, share experiences, foster collaborations, and, importantly, propose practical solutions to enhance the quality of training, research, and practice in the field of social work.

Associate Professor Nguyen Van Hieu also affirmed that this conference represents a significant step in the development strategy for the social work discipline at the University of Science and Education – The University of Danang.

"The university continuously innovates its training programs, strengthens applied research, collaborates with domestic and international universities, and connects with social organizations, aiming to train highly qualified social work professionals capable of addressing social challenges in the context of globalization," Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Hieu stated.

The Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee also extended thanks to the co-organizing partners, acknowledged the support from UNICEF, and expressed gratitude to the media agencies for helping to disseminate the humanitarian values of the conference to the community.

Professor, Dr. Le Quang Son, Vice President of The University of Da Nang, speaks at the event

Representing the leadership of The University of Da Nang, Professor, Dr. Le Quang Son, Vice President, also stated that social work is a field of study concerning community activities and the sustainable development of society. The social work profession carries a humane and compassionate mission and works to reduce social inequality.

Affirming the significance of the conference amidst growing societal focus on policies and activities supporting holistic human development, Professor Le Quang Son also expressed pride that the University of Science and Education – one of the member universities of The University of Da Nang – is the first higher education institution in Central Vietnam to offer undergraduate training in social work. Social work students trained here have made significant contributions to realizing humanitarian goals in the region's development process.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoa Tâm, Deputy Director, Officer in Charge of the University of Labour - Social Affairs (Campus II).

Representatives from the co-organizing units: Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoa Tam, Deputy Director, Officer in Charge of the University of Labour - Social Affairs (Campus II); Assistant Professor, Dr. Khanisara Thanyasunthornsakun – President of Udon Thani Rajabhat University; and Mr. Kim Sug Pyo, Chairman of the Daegu Social Welfare Council, South Korea, also delivered speeches. They affirmed the important role of social work in helping people adapt to the changes of modern society and highlighted the significance of this international scientific conference in connecting participants and proposing solutions to improve the quality of social work training, research, and practice domestically and internationally.

Assistant Professor, Dr. Khanisara Thanyasunthornsakun, representing Udon Thani Rajabhat University (Thailand) - left, and Mr. Kim Sug Pyo, Chairman of the Daegu Social Welfare Council (South Korea) - right, share insights at the conference.

The conference also featured an online presentation by Ms. Christina Torsein, Child Protection Specialist from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), sharing insights on the role of social work in disaster risk reduction and enhancing climate resilience in the ASEAN region.

Online presentation by Ms. Christina Torsein, Child Protection Specialist from UNICEF.

Following the opening ceremony, the conference proceeded to the plenary session, featuring keynote addresses and in-depth presentations from scientists. In her keynote address, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Tram Anh, Vice Chairwoman of the University Council of the University of Science and Education – The University of Danang and Head of the Faculty of Psychology – Education – Social Work, emphasized: The conference not only focuses on academic exchange and expanding scientific knowledge but also offers practical suggestions to improve social work in various fields.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Tram Anh, representing the Organizing Committee, presents the keynote address.

Delegates share insights during the conference.

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo after the opening ceremony

During the plenary session, speakers from Arizona State University (USA), California State University Dominguez Hills (USA), and Udon Thani Rajabhat University (Thailand) presented on topics such as intervening in unhealthy habits using online learning platforms, pathways to promoting healthy lifestyles in Vietnam, and cultural interactions in international educational environments.

The International Scientific Conference themed "Social Work for Positive Human Development: Theory and Practice" takes place over two days, March 20-21, 2025. The conference includes one plenary session and parallel sessions across 4 sub-committees. Key topics discussed include: General issues in social work concerning positive human development; Policy, Human Services, School, Health, Family, and Community.

The conference gathered outstanding scientific works, contributing to clarifying important issues in the field of social work, particularly efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. The organizing committee received 200 papers from over 400 scientists domestically and internationally, representing 150 educational and training institutions, hospitals, social work intervention and support centers, and national and international organizations. Among them were over 380 Vietnamese scholars and nearly 20 international scholars from the USA, India, Thailand, Japan, and other countries. Nearly 150 papers relevant to the conference theme and meeting scientific standards were selected for publication in the two-volume conference proceedings.