The teacher is "loyal" to the profession

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke (1954-2013) was born into a family of teachers with a tradition of patriotism and revolution in Cao Hai village, Tan Lien commune, Vinh Bao district, Hai Phong city. After completing his high school education program, in 1970, Nguyen Hai Ke passed the university entrance exam and became a student of the 15th course of the Faculty of History, Hanoi National University. Due to his excellent academic achievements, after graduating from university in 1975, he was assigned by the University and the Faculty of History to stay as a lecturer at the Department of Ancient and Medieval Vietnamese History. And from here, in addition to his professional work, he also actively participated in social and union activities. For many years from the late 70s to the early 80s, Mr. Nguyen Hai Ke was the head of the History Faculty Youth Union, then the Secretary of the Hanoi University Youth Union, a member of the City Youth Union Executive Committee and the youngest member of the Hanoi University Party Committee. Thanks to the dynamic, creative nature and leadership role of Secretary Nguyen Hai Ke, the movement of studying, researching and social activities of the youth of Hanoi University was always at the forefront of the university and college block of the City and the whole country at that time.

The late Associate Professor, Doctor of Science, Meritorious Student Nguyen Hai Ke (1954-2013) was Head of the Department of History (2004-2013).

In 1987, putting aside the university lecture hall and the vibrant union activities, after many hardships and dedications, Mr. Nguyen Hai Ke was sent by Hanoi University to study for a doctorate in the Soviet Union. After many years of studying and researching at the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union, thanks to the guidance and assistance of many leading Vietnamese scholars of the Soviet Union and Russia, including Professor Dega Deopik, he successfully defended his thesis as Associate Professor and then Doctor of Historical Sciences. In 1996, Doctor of Science Nguyen Hai Ke returned to his old school, continuing to work with teachers, friends and colleagues to build and develop the Faculty of History. He not only taught ancient history, but also, together with Professor Tran Quoc Vuong and a number of leading experts of the Faculty, gradually built and formed a new training major, Vietnamese Cultural History, to meet the needs of society. In this new field of science, his passion and scientific creativity were multiplied and shone. In lectures for students and trainees of the Faculty of History and many other faculties inside and outside the school, scientist Nguyen Hai Ke always has new discoveries and research, deeply expressing his personal mark in many fields and research directions.

With over a hundred scientific works published domestically and internationally, including nearly a dozen books as author or editor, Associate Professor, Doctor of Science Nguyen Hai Ke has left a strong mark in the study of ancient history and Vietnamese cultural history. These are in-depth studies onplant varieties in the Cloud Terrace Languageof Le Quy Don, aboutHong Duc dike and coastal reclamationNam Dinh - Ninh Binh in the late 15th century or abouta Vietnamese village in the Northern Delta. Those are the summaries and historical lessons aboutpost-war issues and Vietnamese society,aboutThang Long – Hanoi Education and Training, from which to propose feasible solutions to overcome current weaknesses and shortcomings and improve the quality of the country's education;cultural contact and exchangeto determineVietnamese cultural identity. These are also the results of serious and passionate surveys in many regions of the country from Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, to Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Da Nang, Quang Nam and even the far South... All of these have made the name of Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke as a leading expert on Vietnamese history and culture with an unmistakable personality through published works. The research of Mr. Nguyen Hai Ke has opened up and shown the way for generations of students to follow, and is the research and training orientation not only in the Department of Cultural Studies and Vietnamese Cultural History but also contributed to building the research orientation in the Faculty of History as well as the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU in general.

The late Associate Professor, Doctor of Science, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Hai Ke is a leading expert on Vietnamese history and culture. 

Not only teaching in the university lecture hall, Mr. Nguyen Hai Ke also "takes advantage" of every opportunity to spread knowledge about history and national culture: from research works in the form of "questions and answers" and "common sense", articles published in both specialized and non-specialized journals to disseminate knowledge to a wide range of readers, reports in domestic and international conferences, to thematic talks, interviews, television programs..., even in daily conversations, over a glass of beer, a cup of tea..., relatives and non-relatives, students and colleagues are all attracted by the stories and issues about Vietnamese history and culture that he passionately conveys. The in-depth knowledge of Sinology and rich historical knowledge have become the luggage and solid foundation for the creative thinking in his research and teaching, combined with his ability to speak in a captivating and engaging way, making listeners and readers always feel attracted and fascinated.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke is not only a good teacher and scientist but also an enthusiastic and highly responsible manager. During nearly a decade as Head of the History Department, concurrently Head of the Department of Cultural History, Vice President of the Hanoi Historical Association, in any position, he has shown himself to be a brave, straightforward, honest, energetic and creative person, always completing the assigned tasks excellently. With his efforts as the head of the History Department for many years, Mr. Nguyen Hai Ke has made many important contributions to the development of the Faculty, of the Vietnamese History sector, especially in maintaining the academic tradition of the History Department - the only department in the University to be awarded the title of Labor Hero in the Renovation Period by the Party and the State. Due to his many outstanding contributions, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke has been awarded many noble prizes by Hanoi National University, the City People's Committee and the Ministry of Education and Training. In particular, in 2007 and 2008, he was awarded the title of Excellent Teacher, the Third Class Labor Medal and the 30-year Party membership badge by the Party and State.

Scientific research projects with many ideas, inspiring lectures, stimulating creative thinking of students, talks, presentations, television interviews with many messages sent to listeners, multiplying love, pride for national history... have made the name of a scientist, Associate Professor, Doctor of Science, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Hai Ke. However, his students, relatives, and colleagues do not only remember him as a scientist who devoted himself to his passion, but also as a person devoted to the teaching profession, devoted to friends, students, and colleagues. He is the one who inspires those who have, are, and will be teaching, so that those who work in the teaching profession understand better than anyone else the spirit of "not only when retreating, retreating, then turning back to become a teacher, but even when advancing, not leaving, but being loyal to the profession, to tirelessly learn and cultivate people". His life is an example of the spirit of loyalty to the profession, not retreating in the face of difficulties, not being overwhelmed by glory. He lived simply, harmoniously, always sincere, close, and loved his students very much. Many students, graduate students, and researchers who were cared for and taught by him have now grown up; some have become good researchers, teachers, and managers in agencies and units at the central and local levels. He has become the trust, support, and pride of many generations of students in and outside the History Department.

Associate Professor, Doctor of Science, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Hai Ke has devoted his whole life to his passion for science, for the cause of education and training, like a flame burning for that passion, lighting up the love for science, for the history and culture of the country in many generations of students, multiplying the great love for the homeland and the country. He has become an example of loyalty to the teaching profession, to the cause of educating people, and his heart and affection for life and people will forever be warm and shining.