Professor Dang Huy Huynh: Efforts worthy of typical intellectuals in science and technology

August 28. The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) solemnly held a ceremony to honor outstanding Science and Technology (S&T) intellectuals in 2024. This is the 5th time the VUSTA has held a ceremony to honor 135 outstanding intellectuals selected.

The number of outstanding intellectuals in science and technology honored over the past 5 times is 452 people, including: 2015: 116 intellectuals; 2017: 118 intellectuals; 2019: 112 intellectuals; 2022: 106 intellectuals. In 2024, 135 intellectuals will be honored.

Recognition promotes dedication

Talking with Knowledge and Life, Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh , Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, said that honoring outstanding intellectuals in science and technology has great significance.

“The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations is a common home for science and technology intellectuals from the South to the North, including intellectuals who are Vietnamese overseas. The contributions of scientists span across all fields, from economics to society… The selection of outstanding science and technology intellectuals to honor is a recognition of the contributions of scientists, not only in research, but also in lifestyle and personality”, emphasized Professor Dang Huy Huynh.

Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment. Photo: Mai Loan.

According to Professor Dang Huy Huynh, being honored as a typical intellectual of science and technology will encourage scientists to make efforts and try to maintain the pure ethics of a scientist. That is, to be serious, creative, persistent, and willing to contribute to the general movement of society, promoting the development of science and technology in the country.

This honor also spreads the meaning of being honored in society, so that society can see the contributions of intellectuals and scientists, who have overcome many difficulties to contribute to the development of science and technology, economy and society of the country.

“I myself have been honored as a typical intellectual of science and technology, I feel very proud. I always strive and practice to maintain the title, worthy of the honor of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations”, Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh expressed.

Scientists keep heritage trees as if they were keeping their souls.

Professor, Dr. Dang Huy Huynh was born in 1933 in Dai Lanh commune, Dai Hung district, Quang Nam province in a poor family.

In 1947, when he was about to enter secondary school, he heard Uncle Ho's call: "put down your pen and go to war". So he said goodbye to his family and joined the army. At that time, he was only 14 years old. He thought that he would be gone for a short time and then return, but he did not expect that the farewell would last until 1975, and there were times when he thought he would never be able to return.

In 1949, Professor Dang Huy Huynh entered the Military Academy. One day, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong visited the class and asked if anyone wanted to go to Laos to fight. He signed up and was one of two people selected to volunteer to go to Laos.

It was the years of living and being attached to the forest that made Professor Dang Huy Huynh have a deep, passionate love for the forest. “For me, the forest is my benefactor. My unit and comrades sacrificed a lot, I will never live to return home. When I return, I think it is a great luck and happiness, I must do something to thank the forest, thank my comrades, those who have fallen”, Professor Dang Huy Huynh was moved.

With the thought of showing gratitude to the forest, in 1956, Professor Dang Huy Huynh was sent to Hanoi to study at the Workers and Peasants' Cultural Supplementary School. After that, he decided to take the entrance exam to the Biology Faculty, Hanoi University of Science. In 1961, he graduated and was retained to teach at the Faculty. After that, he worked at the State Science Committee.

Professor Dang Huy Huynh said that what makes him happy is that he has chosen the right career that he likes and loves, and has been able to fulfill his dream, which is to protect forests and trees, especially heritage trees.

To date, he has contributed to the protection of more than 6,000 heritage trees, of which the oldest is 2,500 years old at Thien Co Mieu (Viet Tri, Phu Tho). Or the Duong Lam elm tree complex (Hanoi), which has trees 1,400 years old. Or the banyan tree on Son Tra peninsula (Da Nang), which was almost destroyed, but when it was preserved, it became a very good tourist destination.

“Why do people far away from their homeland still remember the banyan tree, the cotton tree, the star apple tree… in their village, making each person not forget their homeland, relatives, and neighbors?… That is the spiritual value, the spiritual connection of heritage trees. It makes people love their village, love their homeland, and from that small love will grow into love for the country. When the country is in danger, they will be ready to sacrifice to protect their country.

Therefore, we must preserve the heritage tree at all costs. We must socialize, encourage, and make every citizen want to preserve the tree as if it were their village, their soul,” Professor Dang Huy Huynh shared.

Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh was awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize twice - Vietnam's most prestigious award in science and technology such as: National Atlas (2005); Fauna, Flora, Vietnam Red Book (2010) and Vietnam Environment Award (2009).

Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh was assigned many important positions such as: Director of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (Vietnam Academy of Science); President of the Vietnam Zoological Society; Vice President of the Vietnam General Association of Biology; Standing Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Association of National Parks and Nature Reserves; Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment; Chairman of the Vietnam Heritage Tree Council; member of the international species survival group (SSC).

On August 8, 2017, Professor Dang Huy Huynh became the first Vietnamese person to be honored as an ASEAN Biodiversity Hero.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/gs-dang-huy-huynh-no-luc-xung-dang-tri-thuc-khcn-tieu-bieu-post245975.html