The workshop was organized by the Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the Veterans Association of the University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi on December 20, 2024, attracting the participation of veterans from universities in Hanoi.
A place to recreate the heroic memories of veteransWith the theme “Memories of soldiers - a time when they put down their pens and went to war”, the conference is not only a scientific forum but also a place for veterans from universities and colleges in Hanoi to meet and recall the memories of a time when students were ready to put down their pens and go to war for the independence of the nation, for the freedom of the Fatherland.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Cong Nhat - Chairman of the Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, said: Reviewing "Memories of soldiers - a time when they put down their pens and went to war" today is not only about telling stories of those who went to war but also about those who stayed behind to actively participate in production, creating a solid rear for those who went to the battlefield to fight and save the country.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Pham Cong Nhat - President of the Veterans Association, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU
These are also stories of veterans, teachers, scientists with their daily work still full of confusion; the concerns of teachers who are veteran soldiers in the work of educating traditions for generations of young people, students in university lecture halls today.
These are also stories about veteran soldiers who are typical in the patriotic emulation movement in production, business, research and teaching, and veteran cadres who diligently take care of the Association's work day and night to make it stronger...
Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Cong Nhat emphasized: “You, comrades, and teammates coming to the conference today are not only scientists but also comrades and teammates who once enthusiastically contributed, now returning here in old age as an opportunity to review each other's good memories, and at the same time, to send your expectations to the younger generation for the current and future national construction.”
Colonel Pham Thanh Quy - Propaganda Department of Hanoi Veterans Association highly appreciated the significance of the workshop.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Thanh Nam - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Council of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU
Expressing gratitude for the losses and sacrifices of teachers who are veterans of Hanoi National University (HNU) in the fight for national liberation, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thanh Nam - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Council of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, expressed that, inheriting the glorious tradition of soldiers, the Veterans Association has continued to make important contributions to the development of the school in particular and the country in general, inspiring the younger generation with patriotism, heroic sacrifice, and indomitable spirit of intellectual soldiers leaving the VNU. Returning to the home front, veteran teachers continue to be an important force contributing to the era of development and growth of the nation.
Before the conference, veterans from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, offered flowers to commemorate the heroic martyrs at the Memorial of generations of officers and students of VNU who joined the army to protect the Fatherland.
The spirit and pride of veterans leaving THHN UniversityAccording to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Bau - Chairman of the Veterans Association of the University of Natural Sciences, VNU, with the spirit of "Determination to die for the Fatherland, determination to live", during the great resistance war against the US to save the country, tens of thousands of university students, including nearly 2,000 cadres and students of the University of Natural Sciences, VNU (later the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Natural Sciences, VNU) responded to the call of the Fatherland, the Party and beloved Uncle Ho, volunteering to put down their pens and go "cutting through Truong Son to save the country".
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Bau - Chairman of the Veterans Association of the University of Science, VNU co-chaired the workshop.
With the sacred desire to "liberate the South and unify the country", right from the first days of the resistance war against the US to save the country, THHN University sent many cadres along the 559 line and the Ho Chi Minh trail to join the Southern revolution to directly fight with guns.
Next, there was a class of cadres and students volunteering to join the army to go to the South to fight and protect the socialist North. The peak was the farewell ceremony for nearly 4,000 cadres and students from 33 universities and colleges in the socialist North to join the army on September 6, 1971. During this enlistment ceremony, THHN University saw off nearly 400 students from 7 basic faculties (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Literature, History, Geography) to go to war. And one year later, on September 23, 1972, over 300 students from universities and colleges, including THHN University, went to war. Then there were farewell ceremonies for cadres and students of THHN University from evacuation sites in Dai Tu, Thai Nguyen, Dai Cuong, Ung Hoa, old Ha Tay,... with nearly 2,000 cadres and students going to war.
Most of them were assigned to technical corps, some others went to infantry divisions and directly participated in fighting in fierce battlefields such as: Route 9 - Khe Sanh, protecting Quang Tri Citadel, An Loc, 12 days and nights of Dien Bien Phu in the air, Buon Me Thuot, Hue, Da Nang, Saigon, the Southwest border battlefield, Cambodia, the Northern border battlefield,... On any front, they fought tenaciously and bravely for the independence and freedom of the nation - worthy of the pride of "Soldier of THHN University".
There are 63 heroes and martyrs who are cadres and students of THHN who heroically sacrificed for the independence, freedom and happiness of the people (and many other heroes and martyrs whose information has not been clearly identified) such as Le Anh Xuan, Pham Van Phong, Ngo Van So, Chu Cam Phong, Hong Tan, Nguyen Trong Dinh, Nguyen Van Long, Nguyen Chi Tam, Dang Luan, Nguyen Quoc Khai, Bui Khac Tuong, Vu Nhu Minh, Nguyen Khanh Thuy, Dao Cong Khac, Tran Manh Hung, Nguyen Kim Giao, Nguyen Van Thac,... There are hundreds of cadres and students who left behind on the fierce battlefield a part of their own blood and bones. They are wounded and sick soldiers, and every time the weather changes, they are tormented by pain. But overcoming everything, they are still resilient, still living, still working - dedicating themselves to everyone, to a peaceful and happy life today.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Lam Ba Nam - former Vice Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Chairman of the Association of Former Teachers, member of the Association of Veterans of University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Recounting funny stories from the battlefield, Associate Professor, Dr. Lam Ba Nam - former Vice President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Chairman of the Association of Former Teachers, member of the Association of Veterans of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities said that soldiers from the lecture hall to the battlefield are always ready to accept all tasks assigned by the Party and the State and are determined to complete the assigned tasks in the best way. When returning after peace, soldiers have the courage to perform well the tasks of scientific research, teaching at the university as well as in life.
After the war, some cadres and students who were still in the army, some transferred to civil agencies and returned to THN University, all of them still promoted the nature of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", making great contributions to the cause of building and protecting the country in general and THN University in particular. In the achievements of THN University being awarded the Ho Chi Minh Medal and the title of Labor Hero in the renovation period by the Party and the State, there are contributions from 79 veterans who have been and are working at the university, including 55 comrades who are party members, 3 people's teachers, 20 excellent teachers, 45 comrades who are doctors - doctors of science, 6 professors and 27 associate professors, 25 comrades who have been and are holding key leadership positions of the University, Faculty, and Department. The veterans of THN University have been, are and will always be shining examples for generations of cadres, union members, youth and students of the university to follow.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Pham Thanh Hung - Former Vice President of Veterans Association, University of Social Sciences and Humanities
According to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Thanh Hung - Former Vice President of the Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the soldiers who left the University of Hanoi have their own "composite qualities", carrying within them two streams of war culture and school culture. Soldiers in the conditions of glorious and arduous combat still have the desire to study, research, and contribute knowledge to the country in both wartime and peacetime. Many soldiers both held guns to fight, held pens to write memoirs, and held chalk to teach during the fierce days of war.
Each story told by Associate Professor Dr. Pham Ngoc Thanh brought many emotions to the hall.
Recalling the memories of the days of evacuation to Bac Ninh, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Ngoc Thanh - former Vice Dean of the Faculty of Management Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities shared that the students of THHN University did not hesitate for a moment when receiving the order to go to war. The messages and encouragement from the friends who stayed behind became beautiful memories, engraved in the hearts of the General soldiers. That was also the motivation for the soldiers to be determined to go to war, and no matter what battlefield, what mission, they fought with all the ideals, beliefs and hearts of THHN University soldiers.
Colonel, Professor, Dr. Nguyen Canh Toan - Thang Long University, former student of THHN University spoke at the conference
Colonel, Professor, Dr. Nguyen Canh Toan - Thang Long University, former student of the University of General Sciences emphasized that veteran teachers and scientists always uphold the morality of soldiers, especially the responsibility of setting an example in work and life. Through their activities, veterans have contributed to educating the tradition of patriotism and gratitude to generations of Vietnamese students and youth.
The conference received many valuable scientific papers from teachers and scientists who are veterans. The reports will be published in a book to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the tradition of THHN in 2025.
Some pictures at the Workshop:
Highly appreciating the significance of the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Quy Lien - Vice President of the Veterans Association of the National Economics University emphasized that the workshop was imbued with the spirit of soldiers and intellectuals of the soldiers who left THHN University.
Dr. Trinh Van Dinh - Head of Scientific Research Management Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, delivered a congratulatory speech at the conference.
