The late Professor Nguyen Huu Chi: A silent river that nurtures knowledge.

With his humble appearance, gentle eyes, and unwavering dedication, the late Professor, Doctor, and Meritorious Teacher Nguyen Huu Chi is a symbol of a life of quiet dedication, enriching the knowledge of countless generations of Vietnamese engineers.

From a poor rural village to a polytechnic university.

Born in 1937 in Ha Lo commune, Hai Lang district, Quang Tri province – a steadfast land in the sun-drenched central region of Vietnam – the late Professor, Doctor, and Meritorious Teacher Nguyen Huu Chi grew up amidst the flames of war, in a family with a rich Confucian scholarly tradition. His childhood was filled with nights of studying by flickering oil lamps, days of cycling dozens of kilometers to school, carrying in his heart an unwavering belief in the value of knowledge. Though bombs and bullets may have cut through many roads, they could not stop the young student's will to learn and his aspiration to serve his homeland.

After many years of studying, he passed the entrance exam to the first class of Hanoi University of Technology – which later became his second home, a place he was associated with throughout his life as a teacher, researcher, and mentor.

The late Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Chi during his time studying at Hanoi University of Technology.

The pioneer of applied mechanics in Vietnam.

Graduating with honors in Irrigation Engineering, just two months later, Nguyen Huu Chi was retained by the university as a lecturer in Theoretical Mechanics . Subsequently, he was sent by the State to study in the Soviet Union and successfully defended his doctoral thesis in Fluid Mechanics in 1968 – becoming one of Vietnam's first PhDs in this field.

Returning home amidst the flames of war, he did not choose a safe urban life, but instead threw himself into teaching, research, and laying the foundation for the country's applied mechanics industry. Under his guidance, the Department of Applied Mechanics and key disciplines such as Marine Engineering and Aerospace Engineering gradually took shape, playing a core role in training engineers for strategic industries.

The late Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Chi during his time working at Hanoi University of Technology.

The late Professor devoted himself wholeheartedly to developing the field of Shipbuilding Engineering – a sector linked to Vietnam's dream of mastering the seas. Thanks to his foresight and dedicated leadership, this department not only trained thousands of excellent engineers but also contributed to building a modern shipbuilding industry for the country.

A lifetime dedicated to sowing the seeds of knowledge.

Not only was he an educator and scientist , but he was also an organizer and builder of the national mechanical science community. As Vice President of the Vietnam Mechanics Association, he founded the Hanoi Mechanics Association in 1985 and served as its President for 22 years. The association became a gathering place for lecturers, researchers, and engineers, contributing to the promotion of the application of mechanics in practice, from environmental pollution control to the design of civil and industrial structures.

Despite his advanced age, he remains dedicated to his students.

The late Professor also chaired many state-level scientific projects, notably the work "Some solutions to combat pollution from dust and smoke at Ninh Binh power plant" – a pioneering environmental study in the context of that time. He was also the author of many specialized books, most notably "1000 fluid dynamics problems" – a foundational document for many generations of engineering students.

Associate Professor Le Quang, who worked closely with the late Professor for nearly 30 years in the Department of Applied Mechanics, shared: “Professor Chi was not only a source of inspiration, but also a keeper of that flame for an entire generation. He was both meticulous in his profession and compassionate in his life. What he left behind for Vietnamese mechanics is a legacy that cannot be measured in numbers.”

A teacher with a passion for his profession and an exemplary character.

Although strict in the classroom, in everyday life, he was a gentle, dedicated teacher, always willing to listen, share, and guide his students like family. To his colleagues, he was a shining example of professional ethics, a sense of responsibility, and unpretentious simplicity. Associate Professors Le Quang, Khong Doan Dien, and Pham Van Sang – who had worked alongside him for many decades – all considered him the "soul" of the Department of Applied Mechanics.

The late Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Chi during his student's dissertation defense.

Mr. Nguyen Tuc – former member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, who had many years of experience working in science and education councils – also expressed his deep respect: “Professor Nguyen Huu Chi is the kind of educator that society always needs – someone who possesses both intellect, public support, and integrity. He is a living example of a true scientist-educator in the new era.”

Even after retirement, he never rested. He co-founded the Friendship University of Technology and Management – ​​a place that continues its journey of sowing the seeds of knowledge for new generations.

Heritage endures through time.

For his quiet yet immense contributions, the late Professor, Doctor, and Meritorious Teacher Nguyen Huu Chi was awarded many prestigious honors: the Second Class Anti-American Resistance Medal, a Certificate of Merit from Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, the title of Meritorious Teacher, and the title of Professor in 1992… However, perhaps the greatest reward he left behind is the thousands of outstanding students, who are continuing to write the story of their teacher through their work, creativity, and professional responsibility.

Professor Chi has returned to his motherland, but the river of knowledge he cultivated continues to flow. There – where there is no more chalk dust and blackboards – he must still be smiling, because the seeds he sowed years ago are sprouting, growing, and reaching far and wide in the heart of the country.

We invite our readers to watch the video of students expressing their gratitude and admiration for Professor, Doctor, and Meritorious Teacher Nguyen Huu Chi.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/co-gs-nguyen-huu-chi-dong-song-lang-le-dap-boi-tri-thuc-post268429.html