On behalf of the leadership of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thanh Nam (Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Council) attended the seminar and congratulated the retired lecturers. Also present were Dr. Ngo Thi Kieu Oanh, President of the University's Trade Union; and Mr. Nguyen Van Thuy, Vice President of the Trade Union.
Of particular note was the presence of nearly 50 teachers currently active in the branches affiliated with the Association of Retired Teachers of the University. Among them were Professor Nguyen Kim Dinh and Professor Vu Duong Ninh, two former students representing the Literature and History departments of the first graduating class of the University (1956-1959).
Professor Vu Duong Ninh and Professor Nguyen Kim Dinh are two former students of the first graduating class of Hanoi University.
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Association of Retired Teachers, Associate Professor Lam Ba Nam (Chairman of the Association) opened the seminar with a message:
"Seminar: Course I - From the University of Hanoi to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi"This message is to acknowledge and further affirm the role of the first graduating class, specifically the Social Sciences and Humanities disciplines – those who made significant contributions to building the brand and scientific school of thought of the former University of Hanoi and the current University of Social Sciences and Humanities. The faculty members are exemplary figures of self-study and tireless creative work. Many passed away with books still in their hands. The names and contributions of students/teachers who graduated from the first class leave behind valuable lessons in education, training, and scientific research, and continue to have a strong influence today. We send this message to the Youth Union and alumni of the university.”
Associate Professor Lam Ba Nam, literary researcher Bui Viet Thang, and Associate Professor Nguyen Van Ham chaired the seminar.
In an atmosphere filled with emotion and warmth of teacher-student camaraderie, the delegates listened as two former students from the first graduating class shared profound memories of their first days at the University, while many students expressed their admiration and gratitude to the pioneering generation.
Associate Professor Nguyen Van Ham (a student from the 8th cohort of the University of Hanoi) recalled his first days as a student from the mountainous region studying in the capital. “We entered the university with immense pride, honor, and joy at being able to study at one of the country's leading universities with highly talented and virtuous professors. Although the months of study were difficult and challenging, we quickly overcame the difficulties and matured thanks to the guidance of our erudite and loving professors. Their lifestyles and personalities always served as shining examples for generations of students to follow. I deeply appreciate the saying of the Chinese cultural figure Guo Moruo: 'The sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, but the light of a teacher forever illuminates the path for generations of students.' For me, the professors at the University of Hanoi, especially those from the first cohort, were truly the guiding sun for us.”
For Mr. Bui Viet Thang, the title "I am a student and staff member of Hanoi University" will forever be a source of pride and honor throughout his life. For him, the image of respected teachers like Professor Nguyen Kim Dinh and Professor Vu Duong Ninh is that of guides, pioneers, and intellectual leaders. "Our generation, when we first entered university, was like blank pages, and the teachers of the first cohort at Hanoi University were the talented artists who painted the first strokes of the canvas of knowledge, strokes that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. In every class, we studied with passion, absorbing every word and teaching, and learning from them with admiration. It is this that has helped us achieve success in our teaching and research careers," he emphasized.
The atmosphere of the seminar seemed to quiet down as Professor Nguyen Kim Dinh recited verses he wrote in 1956 when he was a first-year student from the countryside studying in the capital, attending classes at Le Thanh Tong University:
"The school gates open wide / Classes enter in / Looking up at the high arch of the university / Each person's name shines like a star."And for our first generation, the names "University of Literature, University of Mathematics" were a brand. The years after the liberation of North Vietnam were extremely difficult in terms of infrastructure; there were no materials, no proper workspaces, but the teachers still enthusiastically and passionately taught us with all their spirit and intellect. Perhaps that's why our generation matured so quickly. And the intellectuals trained at the University of Hanoi have made enormous contributions to the development of the country. Many former students are heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the Fatherland at a very young age. This is also the place that has trained many famous politicians, leading scientists in many fields, and exemplary teachers, honored by society as a whole.
With his warm smile and humorous, approachable way of speaking, Professor Vu Duong Ninh confided: “I have a very ‘simple’ background: I entered the university in 1956, graduated in 1959, stayed to work at the university, and retired as a staff member of the University. So, my whole life has been connected to this place. That’s why, for me, the University, and later the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, is my ‘one true love.’ Every time I come here, it’s like returning home. For me and the first generation of the University, we were fortunate to have the direct guidance of esteemed, exemplary, and highly intelligent professors such as Professor Dao Duy Anh, Professor Tran Van Giau, Professor Cao Xuan Huy,… And I still remember a saying of Professor Tran Van Giau that defined my entire life's path. He said: ‘Only through research can you go deep and far.’” Later, no one will remember that Nguyen Van Huyen was once a Minister, but people will forever remember Nguyen Van Huyen as a leading ethnologist of Vietnam.” And I have deeply understood my teacher's words throughout my life. When I visited him, he was nearly 100 years old, and he still gave me a notebook he was writing about issues in 20th-century historiography. A shining example of selfless dedication, his entire life devoted to science.
Then came the later generations, such as the legendary "four pillars" of history: Professor Dinh Xuan Lam, Professor Phan Huy Le, Professor Ha Van Tan, and Professor Tran Quoc Vuong. Perhaps when I was a student, I didn't have the opportunity to be taught by them (at that time they were young staff members, teaching assistants to professors). But after graduating, teaching, and participating in research, that's when I learned so much from them, taking advantage of every small opportunity to learn from them, from expertise, academic knowledge, intellect, to work style and interpersonal skills. And imbued with that spirit of self-learning and continuous learning, even now, despite my failing eyesight and slow gait, I still regularly go to the university to participate in academic activities, continuing to learn from the younger generation so that I don't fall behind the development of science.”
Professor Bui Duy Cam, Chairman of the Association of Retired Faculty Members of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, expressed his honor and emotion at listening to the valuable insights from the senior generation of Hanoi University, and affirmed: “The Association of Retired Faculty Members of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has always been a pioneer in organizing many activities closely related to its professional work, making a great contribution to the overall activities of Vietnam National University, Hanoi. This is truly a very meaningful seminar. But I sincerely hope that these valuable meetings will be organized more often, expanded to include a large number of staff, lecturers, and students so that the younger generation can listen and understand the glorious history of Hanoi University, inspiring them with a sense of self-learning and a passion for acquiring new knowledge.”
The stories of students' memories of their esteemed teachers seem endless. Years have passed, and many generations of students have become successful scientists, yet they still remember their teachers with deep respect, always cherishing the contributions, guidance, and love of their teachers.
According to writer Tran Hinh, Professor Nguyen Kim Dinh was a brilliant and influential scientist, a warm and loving leader who cared deeply for his students. As Head of the Literature Department, he nurtured the department as if it were his own family, treating the staff and lecturers like close relatives.
With his reflections after many years of involvement in training, science, management, and more recently, writing, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Long always believes: “For me, after all the ups and downs, successes and happiness, I still consider the greatest fortune in my life to be studying at Hanoi University, where there are professors with high moral character, great talent, and encyclopedic minds, great cultural figures, not just teachers. Whenever I face any difficulties in my work or even in life, I turn to my teachers as a great and solid support. They are encyclopedic minds, great examples of self-learning, dedication to science, and role models of character and morality. We look to them as role models to learn from and live in a way that is worthy.”
Lecturer Nguyen Van Anh from the History Department shared: "When we first entered the university, we students wondered why, during those difficult years, the first cohort of students could become such renowned experts. And through the process of learning from and working with them, we realized that it was because they were fortunate enough to study directly with great professors and brilliant minds of Vietnam, but most importantly, it was their lifelong spirit of self-learning, their passion, and their unwavering commitment to pursuing the scientific path they had chosen."
For Associate Professor Vu Duc Nghieu, teachers, despite their profound intellect and fame both domestically and internationally, are also incredibly approachable and warm. Nowadays, people often wonder, "What is the purpose of learning?" But when I look at my esteemed teachers, I realize that learning is for intellectual and emotional enlightenment, for living a useful life and contributing to society.
Representing the younger generation of students, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Hong Son (Deputy Head of the Department of History) expressed his deep gratitude: "The contributions of the founding generation of professors will forever be admired, honored, and remembered by generations of students of the Department of History."
For the Faculty and the Department, Professor Vu Duong Ninh is a person of immense contribution, one of the pioneers in establishing the World History program within the Faculty of History, the Faculty of International Studies, and many new subjects: the history of civilization. Currently, the History of Civilization course has become a compulsory subject for all students in the Social Sciences and Humanities, and many other fields also choose it: technology, economics, basic sciences. Our generation will always remember the image of a diligent and passionate teacher, the author of many major works from his time as a young lecturer until he was nearly 90 years old. He dedicated much of his heart to the training of thousands of undergraduates, master's students, and doctoral students. Many of those he mentored have become experts in the field of world history. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the contributions of our esteemed teacher.
Associate Professor Bui Thanh Nam expressed his joy and emotion, saying that as a later generation of students, he was fortunate to have the opportunity to directly learn from great and reputable professors, both domestically and internationally; including Professor Vu Duong Ninh (a student from the first cohort). He added that it was an even greater honor and joy to still see his teachers healthy, sharp-minded, and always following and accompanying all the school's activities.
Vice Chairman of the University Council Bui Thanh Nam also happily shared with the faculty members the achievements and major directions in training, research, and university autonomy in the coming years of the University, while emphasizing: "The generation of former faculty members has been, is, and will be a very important part of creating those brilliant achievements, building the brand and leading position of Hanoi University - University of Social Sciences and Humanities."
As the professors have said: Teaching is a profession that never retires. Even with advanced age and weary legs, many professors not only encourage and guide but also stand alongside the university, directly participating in its training and research activities, providing scientific guidance to generations of master's and doctoral students, and leading scientific projects at all levels.
Concluding the seminar, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Ham, on behalf of the students, expressed profound gratitude to the two teachers representing the first graduating class of the University of Hanoi, affirming that the first graduating class is a "golden" generation, a source of pride and a shining example for all students to follow. Generations of students have been guided by their teachers to maturity, becoming renowned scientists, cultural figures, educators, and administrators who have contributed to the development of the country. The teachers' documents and works remain exemplary scientific works; even after more than half a century since their publication, they retain their value and are invaluable resources for researchers both domestically and internationally.
On behalf of generations of students, Associate Professor Lam Ba Nam and Associate Professor Nguyen Van Ham respectfully present these beautiful bouquets of flowers to our two esteemed teachers as a token of gratitude.
The Executive Committee of the Association of Retired Teachers acknowledges and accepts the suggestions from teachers and delegates regarding the continued organization of meaningful scientific activities and the creation of a concise book introducing the University of Hanoi so that students, from their first year upon arriving at the university, can learn about it, fostering pride, inspiring willpower, self-learning spirit, passion for science, and the pursuit of top-level knowledge.
