Professor Phan Huu Dat and Hanoi University of Science: Some things to remember

Late Professor and People's Teacher Phan Huu Dat at the celebration of his 90th birthday held at Le Thanh Tong lecture hall (November 2018)

However, there is also a very important field that Professor Phan Huu Dat devoted his heart and mind to contributing to for almost his entire life. That is the construction of Hanoi National University in the position of a management officer - from Vice President then Head of the History Department (1965-1975), Vice Rector, Acting Rector and then Rector of the University (1977-1988) over a journey of a third of a century.

Late Professor Phan Huu Dat and Professor Vu Duong Ninh at his home

In the first half of the 60s, Hanoi University of Science had been established for less than ten years. Each course lasted only 3 years, then gradually increased to 4 years. The teaching staff, in addition to a number of famous senior professors, and the young generation were all selected from the source of new graduates from the University of Education and Hanoi University of Science. At that time, the History Department welcomed an Associate Professor (now called Doctor) from Lomonosov University, specializing in Ethnology. This was very special because at that time, the number of people who graduated from universities abroad was very rare, and few were Associate Doctors. Therefore, the appearance of Mr. Phan Huu Dat was a "phenomenon". We, the young teaching staff, were both happy and somewhat apprehensive because of his tall figure, his clear Hue accent, and especially his very high academic degree. But after a short time, the teacher's friendly and intimate style quickly erased that distance, especially when the school evacuated to Dai Tu (Thai Nguyen), the difficult life made everyone quickly bond and get along with each other.

Leaders of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities congratulated the Teacher on his New Year at his home (January 2017)

The outstanding thing is the contribution of the teacher in training and scientific research to the growth of the Faculty of History and the School. The initial curriculum was quite simple, gradually improved through the application of the Soviet Union's training experience. As Deputy Head of the Faculty of History in charge of professional matters, the teacher contributed a lot to the completion of the curriculum and organization of learning. In the early years, students graduated with a final exam with a few paper-based tests. Applying the Soviet Union's experience, a number of excellent students were able to write their graduation thesis and defend it before the department council. This new form encouraged the learning movement in the faculty, students tried to be selected to write their thesis, teachers tried to research and find topics, find guidance documents. The learning atmosphere became more exciting, the quality gradually improved. Looking back now, as many teachers commented, at that time, defending a university graduation thesis was no different from defending a master's or doctoral thesis today!

Late Professor Phan Huu Dat at his 80th birthday celebration in 2008

Although the war was extremely harsh and the learning conditions were difficult, the organization of students to go on internships and practical training was maintained regularly, the subjects were linked to the practical life in many localities, even in tense war zones. And Mr. Dat, also carried his backpack, climbed mountains and waded through streams to join the students and the local people. His active activities and simple lifestyle have attached him to many generations of students during the evacuation years and many later courses.

Even during the difficult war days, Mr. Phan Huu Dat was still interested in developing new fields of study. In addition to the fields established right from the beginning of the establishment of the History Department such as Vietnamese History, World History, Ethnology, Archaeology..., he boldly sent staff to study and practice to establish new fields such as Library Studies, Archival Studies... which today have become major departments in the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

In the spring of 1975, following the stormy advance of the army moving to liberate the South, many teachers were ordered to prepare to take over the universities in Saigon. With a floppy hat and the uniform of the Liberation Army, Mr. Phan Huu Dat went to the South right from the first deployments, when the gunfire on the battlefield had not yet stopped. Right after April 30, teachers from the North quickly took over the schools and restored education. Mr. Phan Huu Dat returned to lead the Saigon University of Literature, stabilizing the organization in time for the opening of the new school year. Having a firm grasp of the school's forces in the North, he invited many excellent lecturers from Hanoi University to teach, creating a new atmosphere for the education in the South. The classes of students received a lot of new knowledge with excitement and were convinced through the lectures. At the same time, Mr. Dat took care of laying the foundation for building a team of teachers for the school itself so that the schools in the South could gradually become independent and develop strongly.

Late Professor Phan Huu Dat and VNU President Nguyen Kim Son (November 2018)

After several difficult years of restoring and building the social sciences and humanities at Ho Chi Minh City University of Science, in 1977, Mr. Phan Huu Dat returned to the North, taking on the position of Vice Principal and then Acting Principal of Hanoi University of Science. The respected principal at that time was Professor Nguy Nhu Kontum, a famous physicist, a typical scientist of the patriotic intellectual team, wholeheartedly serving the people. Having the opportunity to work closely with the school leaders in the position of Head of the General Department, I deeply felt the special trust that the Principal had for Mr. Phan Huu Dat. Almost all major policies of the school had private discussions between the two teachers before being put up for collective discussion. Mr. Dat always showed respect and paid the utmost attention to the Principal, from general work to his health and personal living conditions.

Late Professor Phan Huu Dat and Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU

During this time, the whole country faced many difficulties due to the subsidy regime and the state of international isolation. Besides teaching and learning, there was the daily concern about every meal for students, from food, food to fuel, housing... The Board of Directors at that time with Vice Principals Dang Huy Chi, Phan Tong Son, Phan Van Hap and Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Quy had to "struggle" to handle every case related to studying and accommodation to ensure the stability of all activities of the School.

Late Professor Phan Huu Dat in daily life

When the country began to open up under the Doi Moi policy, Hanoi National University quickly established relationships with many foreign universities. In addition to traditional relationships with socialist countries, especially the Soviet Union, Poland, the German Democratic Republic, etc., the University welcomed scholars from the US, France, the Netherlands, Japan, etc., establishing regular academic exchanges and cooperation and assistance from friendly countries. Thanks to that, many delegations of the University's lecturers went abroad for scientific exchanges, and many Vietnam - France and Vietnam - Hanoi cooperation programs were formed. In this field, after Professor Nguyen Nhu Kontum retired, Mr. Phan Huu Dat successfully led many foreign affairs activities of the University. Our University was the first to send a delegation of university education experts to Africa, including lecturers in mathematics, physics, philosophy and history. Through his foreign affairs activities, it can be seen that Mr. Phan Huu Dat is a very experienced person in international communication with fluent foreign languages ​​(French, Russian, English), with a deep understanding of Eastern, Western and Soviet culture. With an open and friendly communication style, he quickly attracted foreign guests who were initially hesitant.

Awarding the prize named after the Teacher - Phan Huu Dat prize for students majoring in Anthropology in 2018

Looking back to the 1970s - 1980s, in extremely difficult conditions due to the country being besieged and embargoed, the initial achievements of Hanoi National University were great successes in the field of foreign affairs, laying the foundation for the open international relations of Hanoi National University later on. Thanks to that, the international position of the University was increasingly expanded and enhanced. And through that, it contributed to promoting the development of a number of other areas of the University.

As the core staff of the Hanoi National University, the team of professors and lecturers of Hanoi National University has made an important contribution to the growth of the organization, teaching and scientific research of a new university model. Whenever senior teachers meet, they always recall the memories of a vibrant, arduous time but are very proud of the glorious tradition of Hanoi National University. One of the people who has devoted much effort and intelligence to the development of the University is the beloved Professor, Dr. People's Teacher Phan Huu Dat.

A few simple thoughts instead of a stick of incense to remember the respected Teacher in the sacred moment of sending him off to the Eternal World, to the Pure Land.

Hanoi April 20, 2019