Expert Consultation Seminar on the First Draft of the Framework for the American Studies Program

Within the framework of developing the American Studies program, the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy (FIPAD) successfully organized an expert consultation Seminar on the first draft of the program's framework on the afternoon of December 29, 2025. The Seminar aimed to gather feedback from experts inside and outside the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam for the development of the American Studies program, which is oriented towards becoming an independent program.

At the opening session of the Seminar, Dr. Le Thi Ngoc Han emphasized the significance of soliciting expert opinions for the development and gradual implementation of the American Studies program at the Diplomatic Academy. Originating from the core specialization in the United States within the Asia-Pacific Studies program, the American Studies curriculum is expected to receive substantial feedback, laying the groundwork for refining the curriculum framework to ensure students' independent research capabilities while equipping them with the necessary skills to meet the practical needs of society and the labor market in the current context.

Attending the seminar, on behalf of the Diplomatic Academy, were Ms. Hoang Mai Huong, Head of the Undergraduate Training Department; Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huyen, Head of the Examination and Quality Assurance Department; along with faculty members and students from the Faculty of International Relations and Diplomacy who directly teach, research, and study the modules and fields within the American Studies specialization.

From outside the Academy, the seminar was attended by Dr. Dao Minh Hong, Head of the Department of International Relations, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance; Dr. Tran Thi Thu, Faculty of International Studies, University of Foreign Languages ​​- Da Nang University; Mr. Vu Tu Thanh, Deputy Executive Director, US-ASEAN Business Council; Dr. Loc Thi Thuy, Institute of European and American Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

In her presentation, Dr. Dao Minh Hong stated that each curriculum should clearly reflect the academic characteristics of the institution developing the program. For the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, its core strength lies in the field of International Relations; therefore, the American Studies program should be designed to place American Studies within the broader context of International Relations research, thereby creating a unique identity and differentiation from American Studies programs at other training institutions. Dr. Dao Minh Hong also emphasized the importance of strengthening interdisciplinary courses to combine academic depth with the practical training characteristic of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

From an employer's perspective, Mr. Vu Tu Thanh (USABC) assessed that the current draft training program demonstrates the urgency of meeting the practical demands for labor in fields related to the United States. He also suggested expanding the number of elective courses to increase flexibility and attractiveness of the program. Furthermore, he argued that the development and teaching of American Studies courses should be closely linked to a deep understanding of Vietnam and the regional context, in order to better meet the recruitment needs of US businesses, multinational corporations, and international organizations operating in Vietnam and the region.

In addition, participants in the seminar agreed that the American Studies program at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam should be designed to balance foundational knowledge with the development of practical skills. The program should leverage the Academy's existing academic strengths while ensuring relevance to the needs of society and the labor market. Many opinions also suggested strengthening interdisciplinary specialized courses and expanding course options to enhance the flexibility and adaptability of students after graduation.

Concluding the working program, the seminar created an open, focused, and constructive academic exchange space, thereby gathering many in-depth opinions that directly serve the adjustment and improvement of the American Studies curriculum framework. The exchanges at the seminar not only clarified the main academic directions of the program but also contributed to better defining the requirements for balancing knowledge, professional skills, and the practical needs of society.

In her closing remarks at the seminar, on behalf of the unit directly responsible for drafting the program, Ms. Vu Phuong Anh, lecturer of the Faculty of International Relations and Diplomacy, expressed her gratitude to the delegates for attending the seminar and providing valuable opinions and comments. She also pledged to seriously consider all feedback in order to comprehensively improve the curriculum for the American Studies program.

Some photos of the event: