Deserving to be called a soldier on the educational front.

USSH— In anticipation of the 5th Congress of the Hanoi City Veterans Association (opening on October 3, 2012), USSH respectfully presents an article by Comrade Vu Thanh Tung (former Chairman of the University's Veterans Association)..Established on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army on December 22, 2001, the Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has now been active in the field of nurturing future generations for over 10 years. Over the past decade, from its initial struggles to find a suitable direction, under the direct and specific leadership of the University's Party Committee, the Standing Committee of the Hanoi City Veterans Association, and the effective coordination of political organizations such as the Trade Union, the Youth Union, the Student Association, and various levels of government, the University's Veterans Association has grown stronger, remaining absolutely loyal to the revolutionary ideals, to the glorious Party, and to the independence and freedom of the nation; steadfast in its political character and proficient in its professional skills. The association's members have always been exemplary leaders in all political activities, disseminating the Party's policies and the State's laws, pioneering innovation in training methods and scientific research, and serving as a reliable support for the Party committee and government in guiding the development and management of the school. When first established, the school's Veterans Association had 80 members operating in 8 branches. The organization has recruited 18 more members and received one new member. At its peak, the total number of members was nearly 100. The association has processed the transfer of membership for many retired members to their local areas, and 6 members have passed away. Currently, the number of members is 60. The majority of members are teaching staff (over 80%) and Party members (over 90%). Currently, the association has 4 Outstanding Teachers, 2 Professors, 30 Associate Professors, 2 Doctors of Science, 34 Doctors, and 6 Masters. Many members hold key leadership positions at Hanoi National University, the school, and its units. In implementing the campaign "Studying and following the moral example of Ho Chi Minh," the Veterans Association was assigned by the school leadership to coordinate with other organizations to hold a meeting and exchange with former staff who worked with and served President Ho Chi Minh, staff of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and staff of the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House historical site. This aimed to help students and staff better understand President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary spirit, pure morality, simple and noble life. The school's Veterans Association also coordinated and organized many seminars such as "Civilized and Elegant Veterans of the Capital," and "The Stance of Vietnam - Remembering Teacher, Poet, and Martyr Le Anh Xuan"; and actively participated in the "Competition to learn about the traditions of the Capital" launched by the Hanoi City Veterans Association. The Veterans Association of the university was also entrusted by the university with editing the traditional book "Remaining with Time," published in 2005, supplemented and reprinted in 2010, and editing, completing the manuscript, and coordinating the publication of "Le Anh Xuan's Diary" on the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day, which was highly appreciated by the university's staff, students, and the public. Members also actively study and train to improve their political and professional skills to meet the increasingly high demands of teaching, scientific research, international cooperation, and service. Over the past ten years, 10 members have graduated from advanced political theory courses, and many members have participated in training courses on association work, state management for senior lecturers and specialists, and training courses on party and trade union work. Due to the stringent professional requirements, all members who are teaching staff actively innovate teaching methods, are at the forefront of applying modern teaching aids, and lead the compilation of curricula, textbooks, and teaching materials. Many high-quality textbooks have been published. In the past 10 years, 11 members have successfully defended their doctoral dissertations, and 16 members have defended their master's theses. Over the past ten years, the school's veteran association members have led more than 10 state-level research projects, approximately 30 ministerial-level and Hanoi National University-level projects annually, and hundreds of school-level projects. Most members have completed their research projects with high quality, receiving positive evaluations from the review boards. Notably, during the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi, the school's veteran association members led the compilation of 14 books and participated in the compilation of over 40 books out of nearly 100 books published in Hanoi. Some members also participate in organizing and chairing scientific seminars on Thang Long - Hanoi, advising on historical research programs and cultural and educational programs of the Central and Hanoi television stations. Many members also participate in researching and compiling books on history, geography, and culture for their localities. As soldiers tempered through revolutionary wars, the veterans' association members of the school recognize that in addition to teaching their professional skills, teachers must also teach how to live and how to train themselves to become useful members of society and the country. Therefore, the school's Veterans' Association considers participating in educating the younger generation about patriotic traditions, cultivating character, and instilling a good way of life as an important task. Through concrete actions in teaching, guiding students in their studies and scientific research, and with their selfless and compassionate hearts, the teachers have helped many students overcome the difficulties of their current lives and achieve good academic and personal development results. The Veterans Association was entrusted by the school leadership to successfully organize many highly impactful exchange events such as "Meeting with historical witnesses who participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign" on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory in 2004; and in coordination with VTV3 of the Central Television Station to organize the live broadcast "A Time of Fiery Flowers" in 2005. In collaboration with the Museum of Revolutionary Soldiers Captured and Imprisoned by the Enemy, the Veterans Association organized an exhibition of images and artifacts from the heroic struggle of soldiers captured, imprisoned, and tortured in Phu Quoc Prison. They also held exchanges with nearly 150 veterans who were former Phu Quoc prisoners in 2005 and 2009. The exhibition and exchange, themed "Meeting the Loyal and Indomitable Sons," deeply moved thousands of faculty members, students, and people inside and outside the university as they witnessed and interacted directly with witnesses of the struggle within the imperialist prison. Annually, on the occasion of Victory Day (April 30th) and the founding day of the Vietnam People's Army, the Veterans Association, in coordination with the Trade Union, Youth Union, and Student Association, organizes meetings and exchanges with teachers and alumni who once "put aside their pens to go to war." Meetings and exchanges with military artists also contribute to educating the younger generation about the school's traditions. Besides excelling in teaching and scientific research, the Veterans Association also focuses on caring for the material and spiritual well-being of its members. Over the past ten years, the school's Veterans Association and its branches have effectively advised the Party Committee, the School Board, and the Party committees and authorities of various units on the work of showing gratitude and caring for members, proactively visiting and encouraging members when they are ill or facing misfortune. On the occasions of April 30th, July 27th, and December 22nd each year, the school and its units organize gatherings and present gifts to all veteran members, wounded soldiers, and relatives of martyrs. The total value of gifts from the school and its units amounts to hundreds of millions of dong. With the approval and full support of the Party Committee and the School Board, over the past ten years, the Veterans Association has organized six trips to historical sites for professional exchange and work visits, including: a trip to Dong Loc Crossroads, Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Truong Son Martyrs' Cemeteries, Highway Nine, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, and Khe Sanh-Ta Con Base in 2003; a trip to Dien Bien Phu in 2004; a trip to Dinh Hoa Safe Zone and Pac Bo, Cao Bang in 2005; a trip to Tan Trao Base in 2010; and a trip to Son La Prison and the Yen Bai Uprising Memorial in 2011. Veterans Association branches have also proactively organized trips to historical sites such as Hon Dau Island in Hai Phong, President Ho Chi Minh's birthplace, and the Lam Kinh Ancient Citadel. The association combines summer field trips to historical sites such as Con Dao, Phu Quoc, Cu Chi Tunnels, and the Central Committee's base in Tay Ninh... These charitable activities contribute to strengthening the bonds and sense of responsibility among members towards the organization. Along with the people nationwide and the City Veterans Association, the school's Veterans Association actively participates in supporting people affected by storms, floods, natural disasters, victims of Agent Orange, and assisting the poor and veterans in difficult circumstances. Most members respond by donating at least one day's salary each during fundraising campaigns organized by the Hanoi Veterans Association. Furthermore, every year on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27th, the school's Veterans Association proactively coordinates with the Trade Union, Youth Union, and Student Association to visit and donate gifts to centers caring for severely wounded and disabled veterans in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, and Vinh Phu. The school's Veterans Association visited and donated two savings accounts to the Dien Bien City Veterans Association in 2004; donated savings accounts to impoverished veterans in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang; donated a sound and visual system worth 7.5 million VND to the Nho Quan Ninh Binh Veterans Rehabilitation Center in 2008; donated a computer and printer set worth 8.5 million VND to the Museum of Revolutionary Soldiers Imprisoned by the Enemy in Phu Quoc Prison in 2009; and contributed 3 million VND in 2011 to the construction of a house of gratitude for the mother of Martyr Dao Cong Khac, a former student of the Mathematics Department of Hanoi University. Notably, in 2011, in response to the campaign launched by the Hanoi City Veterans Association to support the "Fund to Assist Hanoi Veterans in Particularly Difficult Circumstances," the school's Veterans Association mobilized its staff and officials to contribute 23,200,000 VND. The Chairman of the Hanoi Veterans Association awarded a Certificate of Merit for being one of the outstanding units. With the achievements made over the past ten years, the Veterans Association of the university has had 2 members awarded the title of Professor, 18 members awarded the title of Associate Professor, 4 members recognized as Outstanding Teachers, 1 member awarded the Second Class Labor Medal, 15 members awarded the Third Class Labor Medal, 25 members awarded Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, 60 members awarded the title of Emulation Soldier at the Hanoi National University level, and 148 members awarded the title of Emulation Soldier at the grassroots level. Veterans Association members have also received dozens of Certificates of Merit from the Vietnam Trade Union, the Ministry of Education and Training, Hanoi National University, the Education Sector Trade Union, and the Hanoi Trade Union, along with dozens of commemorative medals from various sectors. The Veterans Association of the school was awarded the Emulation Flag for Outstanding Unit in 2011 by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Veterans Association; 14 members received the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Medal; 5 Certificates of Merit from the Central Committee in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2009 for outstanding emulation movements over the 5 years from 2004-2009; 2 Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Hanoi City; and 4 Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of the Hanoi Veterans Association. In addition, 4 branches and 5 individuals also received Certificates of Merit from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Chairman of the Hanoi Veterans Association. With the fortitude of soldiers tempered through revolutionary warfare, regardless of their position, the veterans of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities always uphold the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers," always setting an example in all aspects of their work, successfully completing all tasks assigned by the university, and proving themselves worthy as teachers and soldiers on the educational front.