Professor, Doctor of Science Nguyen Dinh Duc: You can't do science for quick profits!

Professor, Doctor of Science Nguyen Dinh Duc – Head of Training Department (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) was honored among the top 10,000 scientists with the most outstanding scientific citations and global influence in 2022.
A reporter from the Vietnam Education Electronic Magazine had an interview with Professor, Doctor of Science Nguyen Dinh Duc to better understand the efforts and endeavors in scientific research of him and his colleagues.
Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc: In my opinion, for scientific publications to have a global impact, scientists must first possess strong knowledge, skills, and research methods that are thorough, systematic, and modern, capable of solving major and novel scientific problems. In particular, they must choose an advanced, modern research direction that integrates with the world; boldly venture into researching problems that have not been solved before or are yet to be solved; and the research results must be substantial, contain new discoveries, and make significant contributions to the development of science, thus attracting the attention and citation of the international scientific community. To maintain and develop these elements, scientists must build strong research teams.
The scientists ranked highly in the list whose names I know are all renowned professors, leaders of strong research groups, and have worked or are currently working at major, prestigious universities around the world.

Reporter: Professor, what are the strengths and weaknesses of young researchers? What are your expectations for the current generation of young scientists in our country?
Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc:Today's young scientists and researchers have many advantages compared to our generation: they receive thorough training, many have studied or undergone further training abroad; they possess solid professional skills and good foreign language abilities; they have access to good learning materials and facilities; and they have a high capacity for integration.
Today's young officials, including young scientists, are very dynamic, quickly grasping and adapting to innovations and advancements in science and technology. On the other hand, living in an open market economy makes them more "practical".
What I expect from young people is perseverance and persistence. Science cannot be a quick fix, and it certainly cannot be pursued for empty fame. If you're going to do science, you must be dedicated and passionate, willing to accept hardship and sacrifice.
I believe that young people – the future owners of the country – will always maintain their ambitions and aspirations to contribute and revitalize the nation; cultivate virtue and talent, be serious and diligent in their work; integrate with international standards and levels; seize the opportunities of the times, of the 4.0 technological revolution, to innovate and start businesses, and be worthy of being the main force in building and developing the country, bringing glory to the Fatherland.

Reporter: With nearly 40 years of dedicated study and scientific research experience, particularly with many important and pioneering studies in the fields of new materials and mechanics, Professor, could you share more about this area?
Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc:My research focus and the strengths of my research team are in areas related to advanced composite materials and structures: such as multiphase polymer composites; ultra-thermally stable carbon-carbon materials; smart functional materials with variable mechanical properties (FGM); nanomaterials; new materials that increase the energy conversion efficiency in solar panels; piezoelectric composite materials with variable mechanical properties; auxetic materials (with negative Poisson's ratio and the ability to dampen and absorb shock waves); high-performance composite materials for use in harsh conditions and special structures; cutting-edge materials such as pentagraphene to meet the large-scale data storage requirements of the Industry 4.0 revolution; and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in optimizing composite materials and structures.
These are all advanced and modern research directions that also have high practical applicability. They integrate with the international scientific community while meeting the practical needs of Vietnam.
To achieve the success I have today, I have overcome countless difficulties and challenges, facing numerous hardships. However, thanks to my perseverance, unwavering determination, and the support of the university and my colleagues, I have overcome these obstacles, built a strong research team, established new laboratories, departments, and fields: the Advanced Materials and Structures Laboratory, Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology at the University of Technology; the Civil Engineering department at the Vietnam-Japan University; and the Automation and Informatics department at the International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. I have also trained many generations of talented and successful students. Through 40 years of dedication to my profession, I have built a reputable and advanced school of science in composite materials at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and am recognized in the scientific community both domestically and internationally.

Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc:"Teaching is the noblest profession of all." Fate has led me to become a teacher, and I feel honored and proud of it. On November 20th, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the teachers who have nurtured us and shaped us into who we are today. I also wish all my teachers – my colleagues – good health, happiness, and that they always maintain their passion for the noble profession of educating future generations.
What I've always been concerned about is that Vietnamese education should truly embody the principles of "genuine learning, genuine testing, and genuine talent." All teaching, learning, and scientific research activities must be substantive, integrated with international standards and quality. Teachers must be dedicated and committed to their students, unleashing their potential and igniting their thinking and creative abilities so that they can succeed and become accomplished individuals in life. And I believe these are the simplest and most authentic aspects of the educational philosophy and goals I've always cherished.
Thank you very much, Professor!

Professor, Doctor of Science Nguyen Dinh Duc is a leading expert in Vietnam in the field of Advanced Materials, Structures, and Composites. Professor Duc has published over 300 scientific articles and reports, including nearly 200 in prestigious international ISI journals, and is the author of two patents. Professor Duc also had the honor of representing Vietnamese scientists and being invited to participate in the international editorial boards of 10 prestigious ISI journals worldwide.
Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc has previously been a research and visiting professor at prestigious universities around the world, including: Moscow State University; Mechanical Engineering Research Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia); Japan Advanced Institute of Sciences and Technology (JAIST - Japan); University of Birmingham (United Kingdom); and Sejong University (South Korea).
For four consecutive years, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc was ranked among the top 10,000 most influential scientists in the world by the US journal PLoS Biology, and ranked 94th globally in the field of Engineering in 2022.
He is also one of the few Vietnamese scientists to have been honored by this journal in its list of 100,000 scientists ranked for their lifetime achievements and scientific citations that have influenced the world.