In her opening remarks, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, Le Thi Anh Mai, emphasized that the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy, built in the late 11th century during the Ly Dynasty, was not only a site for honoring sages and scholars but also the highest educational institution of the nation. It was a place where generations of talented individuals were nurtured for the country.

Over time, this monument has become a symbol of Vietnam’s tradition of learning, respect for teachers, and reverence for moral values - foundational aspects of national culture.

“These values helped shape the Vietnamese concept of learning, which centers on morality and ethical behavior, with self-cultivation as its root and the concept of ‘benevolence’ at its core. This heritage is a valuable source of inspiration for today’s generation in reforming education and building a new-age citizen,” said Le Thi Anh Mai.

Therefore, the seminar “Educational and cultural heritage of East and West” served as an academic dialogue between two symbolic educational institutions: the Imperial Academy in Hanoi - representing Eastern ideals of morality, ritual, and self-improvement, and Columbia University in the United States - an icon of Western liberal education, creativity, and academic freedom.

The deputy director expressed her hope that through academic forums like this, Vietnamese and American scholars would continue to exchange experiences, raising awareness about the role of traditional education in the modern context, while also promoting the preservation and development of educational heritage as part of the national identity.

During the seminar, scholars, researchers, and experts focused their discussions on three main topics:

First, the organizational model and educational methods of the Imperial Academy and Columbia University. The Imperial Academy of Thang Long represented an education system that emphasized moral cultivation, ritual conduct, and service to society. Teachers played a central role in transmitting knowledge and instilling virtues, while knowledge was always tied to responsibilities toward the community and the nation.

Second, Columbia University (USA) exemplified a liberal education model that values critical thinking, individual autonomy, creativity, and the application of interdisciplinary knowledge to real-world contexts, aiming to prepare global citizens.

Third, speakers also exchanged views on the role of Han-Nom studies and literature in academia and cross-cultural communication.

Tinh Le