Professor Phan Huu Dat and Hanoi University: A Few Things to Remember

The late Professor Phan Huu Dat, People's Teacher, at his 90th birthday celebration held at Le Thanh Tong lecture hall (November 2018).

However, it is also important to mention a very significant area in which Professor Phan Huu Dat dedicated his heart and intellect for almost his entire life. That is the building of Hanoi University in his capacity as an administrator - from Vice-Head and then Head of the History Department (1965-1975), Vice-Rector, Acting Rector and then Rector of the University (1977-1988) over a third of a century.

The late Professor Phan Huu Dat and Professor Vu Duong Ninh at the professor's private residence.

In the first half of the 1960s, Hanoi University had only been established for less than ten years. Each course lasted only three years, later gradually extended to four years. Besides a few renowned senior professors, the teaching staff consisted of young graduates selected from the Hanoi University of Education and Hanoi University. At that time, the History Department welcomed a new Associate Doctor (now called a Doctor) from Lomonosov University, specializing in Ethnology. This was very special because, at that time, the number of university graduates from abroad was very rare, and even fewer were Associate Doctors. Therefore, the arrival of Professor Phan Huu Dat was a "phenomenon." We young faculty members were both happy and somewhat apprehensive because of his tall stature, his resonant voice with a distinct Hue accent, and especially his very high academic degree. But after a short time, the teacher's approachable and friendly style quickly erased that distance, especially when the school evacuated to Dai Tu (Thai Nguyen), where the hardships of life quickly brought everyone together and fostered camaraderie.

Leaders of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities extended New Year greetings to Professor at his private residence (January 2017)

What stands out is Professor's contribution to the growth of the History Department and the University in terms of training and scientific research. The initial curriculum was quite simple, but it was gradually improved through the application of Soviet training experience. As the Vice Dean of the History Department in charge of professional matters, he contributed significantly to perfecting the training program and organizing learning. In the early years, students graduated with a final exam consisting of a few paper-based tests. Applying the Soviet experience, some outstanding students were allowed to write and defend their graduation theses before the departmental council. This new format encouraged the learning movement within the department; students strived to be selected to write theses, and faculty members diligently researched topics and sought guidance materials. The learning atmosphere became much more vibrant, and the quality gradually improved. Looking back now, as many faculty members have observed, defending a university graduation thesis back then was no different from defending a master's or doctoral dissertation today!

The late Professor Phan Huu Dat at his 80th birthday celebration in 2008.

Despite the extremely harsh conditions of war and the difficult learning environment, the organization of student internships and practical training was maintained regularly, with subjects closely linked to real-life situations in many localities, including those experiencing intense fighting. And Professor Dat, with his backpack on his shoulder, climbed mountains and crossed streams, joining the students and local people. His vibrant activities and simple lifestyle bonded him with many generations of students during the evacuation years and many subsequent courses.

Even during the difficult wartime years, Professor Phan Huu Dat remained concerned with developing new academic disciplines. Alongside the disciplines established from the very beginning of the Faculty of History, such as Vietnamese History, World History, Ethnology, and Archaeology, he boldly sent staff for further training and practical experience to establish new disciplines like Library Science and Archival Studies, which today have become major faculties within the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

In the spring of 1975, following the swift advance of the liberation army into South Vietnam, many educators were ordered to prepare to take over universities in Saigon. Wearing his floppy hat and Liberation Army uniform, Professor Phan Huu Dat set off for the South during one of the first deployments, even before the fighting had completely ceased. Immediately after April 30th, educators from the North quickly took over the schools and restored academic activities. Professor Phan Huu Dat led the Saigon Faculty of Literature, stabilizing the organization in time for the start of the new academic year. Having a firm grasp of the school's resources in the North, he successively invited many excellent lecturers from Hanoi University to teach, creating a new atmosphere for education in the South. Students eagerly absorbed new knowledge and were convinced by the lectures. At the same time, Professor Dat laid the foundation for building a faculty for his own university, gradually enabling the South's universities to become independent and develop strongly.

The late Professor Phan Huu Dat and the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Nguyen Kim Son (November 2018)

After the initial difficult years of restoring and developing the social sciences and humanities at Ho Chi Minh City University, from 1977 onwards, Professor Phan Huu Dat returned to the North, assuming the position of Vice Rector and then Acting Rector of Hanoi University. The esteemed Rector at that time was Professor Nguy Nhu Kontum, a renowned physicist and a prominent scientist among patriotic intellectuals, wholeheartedly dedicated to serving the people. Having had the opportunity to work closely with the university's leaders in my capacity as Head of the General Affairs Department, I deeply felt the special trust that the Rector placed in Professor Phan Huu Dat. Almost all major university policies were discussed privately between the two of them before being presented to the collective. Professor Dat always showed great respect and attentive care for the Rector, from general work matters to his health and personal living conditions.

The late Professor Phan Huu Dat and Professor Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

During this period, the entire country faced numerous difficulties due to the subsidized economy and its international isolation. Besides teaching and learning, the daily concerns included providing meals for students, from food and provisions to fuel and housing. The school's leadership team at the time, including Vice-Rectors Dang Huy Chi, Phan Tong Son, and Phan Van Hap, along with Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Quy, had to "struggle" to handle each issue related to studies and accommodation to ensure the stability of the school's operations.

The late Professor Phan Huu Dat in his everyday life.

When the country began opening up under the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy, Hanoi University quickly established relationships with many foreign universities. Besides traditional relationships with socialist countries, especially the Soviet Union, Poland, and the German Democratic Republic, the University welcomed scholars from the United States, France, the Netherlands, Japan, and other countries, establishing regular academic exchanges and cooperation. As a result, many faculty delegations from the University traveled abroad for scientific exchanges, and numerous Vietnam-France and Vietnam-Netherlands cooperation programs were formed. In this field, after Professor Nguy Nhu Kontum retired, Professor Phan Huu Dat successfully led many of the University's foreign relations activities. Our university was the first to send a delegation of higher education experts to Africa, including lecturers in mathematics, physics, philosophy, and history. Through his diplomatic activities, it is evident that Mr. Phan Huu Dat is a highly experienced international communicator with fluent foreign language skills (French, Russian, English), and a deep understanding of Eastern, Western, and Soviet cultures. With his open and friendly communication style, he quickly won over foreign guests who were initially hesitant.

The Phan Huu Dat Award, named after the teacher, was presented to Anthropology students in 2018.

Recalling the 1970s and 1980s, under extremely difficult conditions due to the country's blockade and embargo, the initial achievements of Hanoi University were a great success in the field of foreign relations, laying the foundation for the university's later extensive international relations. Thanks to this, the university's international standing has expanded and improved. And through that, it has contributed to the development of several other areas of the university.

As the core group of personnel building the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the faculty and lecturers of Hanoi University have made significant contributions to the organizational growth, teaching, and scientific research of a new university model. Whenever senior faculty members meet, they recall memories of a vibrant, challenging, yet incredibly proud era, reflecting the glorious tradition of Hanoi University. One of those who dedicated much effort and intellect to the development of the University is the esteemed Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Phan Huu Dat.

A few simple thoughts, offered as a token of remembrance for our esteemed teacher during this sacred moment of bidding him farewell as he departs to the eternal realm, to the Pure Land.

Hanoi, April 20, 2019