Empty chair on graduation day makes everyone present cry

During the graduation ceremony of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, there was an empty chair in the auditorium. That seat was reserved for a student who had just passed away from leukemia before receiving his diploma.

The empty chair in the hall

During the graduation ceremony at the end of May of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, amidst all the joy, there was a moment that made the whole hall silent.

Student Nguyen Truong Gian, class 20DDT1A, majoring in Electricity - Electronics, Faculty of Engineering - Technology, recently passed away from leukemia. Truong Gian's younger sister, currently a student majoring in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the same school, walked up to the stage to receive his diploma.

In the hall, an empty chair was reserved for Gian. The moment Gian's sister received the diploma on his behalf, the whole hall stood up and applauded, with tears silently falling.

An empty chair in the auditorium during the graduation ceremony of Nguyen Tat Thanh University for a student who passed away from leukemia. Photo: HN

Truong Gian completed his studies and successfully defended his graduation thesis in his final days despite his very weak health. Gian's wish to wait for the graduation ceremony did not come true.

Nguyen Thi Truc Linh, class monitor of class 20DDT1A, recalls that Gian was a gentle, kind person who always quietly helped others. Gian never complained or talked about his illness, just quietly went to school, did his homework, and smiled softly when he met his friends.

Nguyen Truong Gian's sister received the diploma on his behalf. Photo: HN

MSc. Ho A Lil taught Gian for 4 years, witnessing the student getting sicker and sicker but still trying to come to class. Gian was gentle, quiet, and always studied hard. Whatever assignment Mr. Ho A Lil assigned, no matter how difficult, Gian tried to complete it. There were times when his illness became serious, Gian asked for leave to receive treatment, then returned to class and continued working on his project. Even though his health could not cope with the intensity of his studies, Gian still persevered. There were times when Gian was in so much pain that he could not keep up with the class, but he never gave up.

"You are gone, but you left me and the whole class an example of perseverance and determination," said teacher Ho A Lil.

3 pairs of twins graduate together

Also at the graduation ceremony of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, three pairs of twins went on stage to receive their diplomas.

They are Nguyen Ngoc Hieu and Nguyen Ngoc Trung from Can Tho , both majoring in Information Technology. During their four years at university, they were always together from theory classes to labs, from assignments to group study sessions. Neither of them had to retake any subject. They understood each other, worked hard together, and completed the program on time with excellent graduation results.

Hieu's most memorable memory was a time when the teacher called the roll and mistook two brothers. The teacher called Trung's name but looked at Hieu instead. Then the teacher joked: "It's enough for one of the twins to answer." Friends also often joked that only one person needed to be present because they looked so much alike.

Outside of school hours, Hieu and Trung participate in IT club activities and provide technical support at school events. After graduation, both plan to work in the software industry, hoping to develop technology products to serve the community.

Two other pairs of twins, Le Thi Kim Ngoc and Le Thi Kim Ngan; Truong Kieu Trang and Truong Kieu Tram, all graduated in Nursing.

For the couple Kim Ngoc and Kim Ngan, one of the memories that they will always remember is their internship at the hospital. There were days when they were on duty, the two sisters took advantage of their lunch break next to each other, eating and editing their thesis on their phones.

There were also times when the two sisters were called by the wrong name by patients. For them, family affection has become a great motivation in their learning journey. After graduation, both of them plan to work at hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and continue their studies to improve their expertise. They hope to become skilled and dedicated nurses.

Kieu Trang and Kieu Tram, although in the same class, are often placed in different practice groups. However, at home they still take the time to review together, exchange documents and practice clinical skills.

Now, both of them hope to work together at a hospital after graduation, or at least in the same field, to continue their journey of care and healing. For the twins, the university journey is not only about professional knowledge but also a lesson in love, patience and unconditional companionship.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chiec-ghe-trong-trong-ngay-nhan-bang-tot-nghiep-khien-nguoi-co-mat-bat-khoc-2408191.html