On the afternoon of May 23, 2023, at the University of Sciences, a working session with representatives from the American Museum of Natural History took place. The meeting was considered a foundational step for future collaborations to develop the university's museum system.
The University representatives present a commemorative gift to Dr. Mary Blair
At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Linh, the Rector, expressed his pleasure at the success of the seminar related to the conservation of primate species under the impact of climate change in Vietnam, organized jointly by the University of Sciences and the American Museum of Natural History over the weekend. Following that, Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Linh hopes that the two sides can exchange and come up with ideas for collaborating on the development of the Biological Sciences museum system in particular, and the University’s other museum systems in general.
During the exchange, Dr. Mary Blair provided an overview of the American Museum of Natural History. The museum is known as an “encyclopedia" of the miraculous development of humanity from ancient times to the present. Currently, the American Museum of Natural History houses more than 126 million specimens of flora and fauna, marine creatures, insects, fossilized bones and wood, gems, geological ores, ancient human tools, etc.
The specimen collections are displayed in sections, and the appealing and scientific arrangement, along with the changing of themes every month to cater to visitors of various ages, has made the museum an attractive and captivating destination.
In addition to preserving and exhibiting a diverse and rich specimen collection, the Museum is also a workplace for numerous scientists from around the world, as well as a place of study for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Ngac An Bang expressed his admiration for the architecture and the set up of visitor experiences that the American Museum of Natural History is implementing. Based on this, he hopes to find opportunities for collaboration, connecting the University's students' subjects with the substantial "repository" at the Museum.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nam in discussion with Dr. Mary Blair during the meeting
Representatives from the Faculty of Biology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham The Hai, Dean of the Faculty, and Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, Vice Dean of the Faculty and also the Director of the Biological Museum, had specific discussions about the development of museum programs, as well as the collection, processing, and preservation of the extensive specimen system.
Dr. Mary Blair expresses her admiration for the exhibits at the Biological Museum of the University of Sciences, particularly for the species she is encountering for the first time.
The meeting between representatives of the University of Natural Sciences and Dr. Mary Blair, Director of the Center for Biodiversity Conservation Research at the American Museum of Natural History, will open up opportunities for collaborative development of projects related to the University's museum system, as well as in other natural science research collaboration projects.