Happy 80th birthday to Professor, People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh

Attending the ceremony were Prof. Dr. Phan Huy Le (Honorary President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association), along with professors in the Executive Board of the Vietnam Historical Science Association: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Duc Cuong (Chairman of the Association), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc (Vice President of the Association), Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (Vice President of the Association, Chairman of the Science and Training Council of VNU); Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Duc (Chairman of the VNU Former Teachers' Association). Representatives of Institutes, Research Centers, Universities, High Schools, specialized journals, publishers... where there is a deep cooperative relationship throughout the research and teaching process, along with Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Ninh, attended the ceremony. On the side of the University, there was the participation ofProf. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Principal of the School) and teachers in the Party Committee, Board of Directors, Trade Union, Youth Union - Student Association and Former Teachers Association of the School. Many friends, colleagues and generations of students from the Faculty of History and the Faculty of International Studies - two units where Prof. Vu Duong Ninh worked and was directly attached to for many years - gathered to celebrate with him.

The audience watched the documentary report about the portrait of Professor, People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh.

Prof. People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh is a student of the first course of the Faculty of History, Hanoi National University. He is a classmate of many famous teachers and historians such as: Prof. People's Teacher Phan Dai Doan, Assoc. Prof. People's Teacher Le Mau Han, Assoc. Prof. Meritorious Teacher Nguyen Thua Hy, Assoc. Prof. Meritorious Teacher Pham Thi Tam... Prof. People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh is one of the scientists of the golden generation of Hanoi National University - leading scientists who have contributed to building and developing new fields of study of the University in the early stages. They are the generation of scientists who contributed to building the reputation and position of the old Hanoi National University, as well as shaping the teaching style and scientific research with the unique identity of the "General School".

Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Ninh is a leading expert on World History in general and Modern World History in particular. For many years as Head of the Department of World History and Vice Head of the Faculty of History, Prof. Vu Duong Ninh has contributed to training many generations of students specializing in World History and International Relations issues. In 1995, from a major of the Faculty of History, in response to the new development requirements of the country, Prof. Vu Duong Ninh was one of the initiators and founders of the International Studies major - which later became the Faculty of International Studies under the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, a pioneer in training this major nationwide.

As an expert in World History, Professor Vu Duong Ninh was invited by the Ministry of Education and Training to preside over the development of undergraduate and postgraduate training programs in the subjects: World History, History of International Relations, History of World Civilizations... for common use in universities across the country. He also edited many basic textbooks of the industry such as: "Modern World History", "History of World Civilizations", "History of International Relations" - Volume I, "Some Topics on World History" (3 volumes have been published to date)... In addition, he also contributed to high school training activities as the editor of the History textbook for grade 12; at the same time, he had many notable recommendations and proposals to promote the improvement of the quality of teaching and learning History.

With his outstanding contributions to science and education, Professor Vu Duong Ninh has been awarded many noble titles by the State: Excellent Teacher (1994), People's Teacher (2002), Second Class Anti-American Resistance Medal, Second Class Labor Medal (2000) and First Class Labor Medal (2004), 40-year Party membership badge (2007)...

Expressing gratitude for the close relationship between Professor and People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh and the School, Professor and Doctor Pham Quang Minh (School Principal) gave a speech.:Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Ninh is an exemplary teacher of many generations of students and trainees of the Faculty of History and the Faculty of International Studies. He is a leading research expert in the field of modern and contemporary history with dozens of outstanding works, more than 150 articles published in domestic and international journals. In particular, his research works, textbooks, and monographs have had a great influence, such as the books "Modern World History", "History of World Civilization" which have been reprinted for the 18th time...

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Principal of the School) spoke at the ceremony

Besides, he is an expert who played a decisive role in opening the International Studies major and establishing the Faculty of International Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU. At that time, facing many unclear and incomprehensible views about this new major, with his far-sighted vision and knowledge, Professor Vu Duong Ninh affirmed the name, nature and development direction of the major. And up to now, the reality in Vietnam as well as in the world has confirmed this correctness.

In the students' impression, he is strict but tolerant, meticulous but never indulges in trivialities. He is "very international" but also "very Vietnamese", old but very young, sociable but not sociable... Those personality traits have contributed to affirming an unmistakable style in both work and life.

Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Duc - Chairman of the Association of Former Teachers of Hanoi National University shared his thoughts: Professor Vu Duong Ninh has achieved many admirable things in life. He has turned 80 but is still healthy, active, has a very clear mind, is still tirelessly contributing to science and life, and is respected and cherished by generations of students, friends, and colleagues...

On behalf of the Faculty of History, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Quan (Head of the Faculty) expressed his respect to one of the great teachers of the Faculty: Professor Vu Duong Ninh, who has made very important contributions to the development of the Faculty. He has always been admired by generations of students, friends and colleagues for both his talent and personality. He is exemplary in both his teaching style and his meticulousness and seriousness in life. His lectures are gentle but profound, very profound and humane. But besides that, his fighting spirit is also very strong, shown in each scientific argument, to protect and support the positive and good development trends of education and the whole society. For generations of students, not only students, postgraduates, but also from the undergraduate courses, he has always paid great attention, guided and supported..

Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Khac Nam (Head of the Faculty of International Studies) - representing the staff, students and trainees of the Faculty - sent his congratulations and gratitude to the first Dean of the Faculty: He is the one who laid the foundation for the development of the Faculty of International Studies over the past 20 years. The enormous amount of knowledge he has built and the collective of lecturers of the Faculty are continuing to pass on to generations of students and trainees. His moral example has become a symbol of the Faculty of International Studies.

Among the students of Professor Vu Duong Ninh, many have become famous and are currently holding important positions at leading universities and research institutes in Vietnam. They also shared their memories and the knowledge they received from their teacher – which has now become their own valuable lifestyle assets in life.

Receiving the gratitude from the School, generations of students, friends and colleagues, Professor and People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh expressed his emotions. He confided: Entering the school in 1956 at the age of 19 and receiving the school's pension book in 2006, at the age of 69, he has now completed 50 years of association with the School. During the 10 years of retirement until now, he has continued to teach and research. The achievements in his career and life are due to the education and affection and help of teachers and students of Hanoi National University, later the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU.

Throughout his life, he only had one profession - teaching: teaching about World History, History of World Civilizations and History of International Relations. In the process of studying international relations, he always supported the view that the world cannot be separated from Vietnam. His later research focused on the history of Vietnam's foreign relations.

Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Ninh said: “I have achieved such results, first of all thanks to the merits of my teachers. I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers who brought me to History, such as Prof. Tran Van Giau, Prof. Dao Duy Anh, Prof. Cao Xuan Huy, Prof. Pham Huy Thong, Prof. Dinh Xuan Lam. They are examples of great talent and virtue that I always try to learn from and absorb some of those qualities. Secondly, I would like to express my respect and admiration for my seniors, Prof. Phan Huy Le, Prof. Ha Van Tan, and the late Prof. Tran Quoc Vuong. I learned from them the spirit of self-study, creativity, and enthusiasm for scientific research with a serious attitude. These are truly direct examples that I try to follow. However, I realize that I am still far from catching up with my seniors.”

Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Ninh speaks at the ceremony

Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Ninh also expressed his gratitude to his colleagues who have contributed to building and developing the History industry; to generations of students who have inspired him to make continuous efforts in research and teaching; to agencies, universities, research institutes, partners, etc. who have created opportunities for him to collaborate and share new research results, thereby helping him to broaden his knowledge, thinking and vision in life.

At the end of the ceremony, Professor and People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh directly presented his books, "Vietnam in a changing world" (editor-in-chief) and "The Vietnamese Revolution on the international chessboard - history and issues" (2nd edition) to Professor and People's Teacher Phan Huy Le, Professor and Doctor of Science Vu Minh Giang, Professor and Doctor of People's Teacher Nguyen Quang Ngoc, Professor and People's Teacher Dinh Van Duc, Associate Professor and Doctor Tran Duc Cuong, Associate Professor and Doctor of Merit Pham Xuan Hang, and Professor and Doctor Pham Quang Minh.

Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Ninh took a photo with staff and lecturers of the Faculty of International Studies.