Professor Ha Minh Duc, the silent teacher behind the pages of books

For many generations of students, Professor Ha Minh Duc is an exemplary teacher, a great example of morality, academics and personality, both in real life and in books.

As the founder of many social sciences and humanities, a teacher of many generations, Professor Ha Minh Duc has devoted his entire life toeducation and research. With his erudition, dedication and "ethics towards the teaching profession" that he always preserved, the Professor has inspired many generations of students, many of whom have become great names. Even at the age of 90, with his 107th book just released, he is still a living testament to the spirit of tireless dedication and great love for knowledge.

The founder, teacher of many generations

Born on May 3, 1935 in Vinh An commune, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, Professor, People's Teacher Ha Minh Duc is one of the most erudite scholars and exemplary teachers in Vietnamese education. After graduating with a degree in Literature from Hanoi Pedagogical University in 1958, he began his teaching career at the Faculty of Philology, Hanoi University of Science (now the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) from 1957 to 1991.

Prof. Dr. Ha Minh Duc. Photo: Huu Toan.

During nearly 60 years of standing on the podium, Professor Ha Minh Duc has imparted knowledge and inspiration to thousands of students. Many of his students have become famous researchers, teachers, writers, and journalists, making important contributions to the country's culture and education.

Speaking about him, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, formerly known as Hanoi National University, has a team of outstanding professors.

Not only are they excellent scientists, they are also dedicated teachers, cultivating knowledge and inspiring many generations of students. In particular, they are the ones who laid the foundation for many social sciences and humanities in Vietnam, from literature, history, philosophy to journalism and communications. Thanks to them, the school has become an important knowledge center, training many generations of scholars, researchers, journalists, and cultural managers with prestige at home and abroad.

“Among them, Professor Ha Minh Duc stands out as an excellent researcher on literature, especially Ho Chi Minh and the great poets of the nation. He not only taught but also held important management positions such as Deputy Head of the Faculty of Literature (from 1987-1988) and the first Head of the Faculty of Journalism (from 1990-2000),” Professor Hoang Anh Tuan assessed.

After 55 years of being a student of Mr. Duc, Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Quang Long, former Vice President of Hanoi National University, former Director of Hanoi Department of Culture, still sees himself as a small student. Having had many opportunities to listen to the teacher talk about life, about the profession, his concerns in work and the hardships of being a teacher, Associate Professor Long realized that the teaching profession is very special.

“Besides inherent talent and qualities, if someone does not truly love the profession, if someone does not truly sacrifice, it will be difficult to pursue the profession to the end. However, in 55 years as his student, I have never heard him complain,” Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Long shared.

Listening to his students' feelings, Professor Ha Minh Duc expressed his emotions. "There is no greater joy than the respect that students have for me. I have been involved in teaching for nearly 60 years, but as long as I am still healthy and can continue to teach, I can continue to try my best," Professor Ha Minh Duc was moved.

A lifetime of searching for beauty in art

Professor Ha Minh Duc said that in his youth, at the age of 17 or 18, he was quite good at working. He plowed straight rows, harrowed neatly, and hoed the banks and square corners, which was pleasing to the eye. “On the road, there were often old farmers who passed by, stood and watched for a while, then praised him. His great-grandfather reminded him: ‘You work neatly, you can follow the farming profession,’” he recalled.

Professor, People's Teacher Ha Minh Duc was awarded the State Prize for Science and Technology in 2000 for his works on Modern Vietnamese Literature and Literary Theory; and the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology in 2010 for his works on Ho Chi Minh's literary career, journalism, and a number of theoretical and practical issues of Vietnamese culture and arts.

However, the young man eventually went to Hanoi, became a researcher, and took the path of "finding beauty in art" (the name of one of his works).

He is the author of nearly 100 books, including research works on typical writers and poets such as Nam Cao, Ho Chi Minh, To Huu, Xuan Dieu... His research works are not only important reference materials for researchers, but also bridges that bring readers closer to the cultural depth of their nation.

In particular, he is notable for his research works on President Ho Chi Minh, deeply analyzing his culture and ideology. He stated that Ho Chi Minh's culture is expressed through eight main aspects such as: school culture, culture and social life, culture and behavior, culture and journalism, culture and literature and art, culture and innovation, military culture and culture with propaganda work.

Professor Ha Minh Duc with the book "The Teacher and the Pages". (Photo: HUU TOAN)

At the age of 90, Professor Ha Minh Duc is still constantly contributing to the cause of education and research. Recently, he launched his 107th publication entitled "The Teacher and the Pages of Books". Unlike previous works, this publication was conceived by the Professor himself and worked directly with the publisher, demonstrating his passion and deep personal mark.

The book not only recounts the Professor's memories of more than 65 years of journalism and teaching, but also contains profound thoughts on the mindset of intellectuals in the 21st century, both continuing tradition and facing and adapting to the constant flow of the times.

“I miss my teachers so much, Professor Dang Thai Mai, Professor Nguyen Khanh Toan, Professor Cao Xuan Huy… They passed on to me an ethics for the teaching profession,” Professor Ha Minh Duc emotionally shared.

With his contributions, Professor Ha Minh Duc was awarded the titles: Meritorious Teacher; Professor, People's Teacher; Second-class Anti-American National Salvation Medal; Third-class Labor Medal; First-class Labor Medal.

He has also been honored to receive many prestigious awards, including: State Prize for Science and Technology in 2000; State Prize for Literature and Arts in 2001; Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts in 2012; Award of the Vietnam Writers Association for the work In Search of Artistic Truth in 2009.

Good Book Award of the Ministry of Information and Communications for the work "A culture and art imbued with national identity with many rich art forms" in 2011; Award of the writing contest "Studying and working according to the moral example of Ho Chi Minh" by the Central Propaganda Department for the work "Ho Chi Minh, national hero and his contemporary significance" in 2015; The first National Good Book Award of the Ministry of Information and Communications for the work "Hanoi - Meeting with smiles" in 2018.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/gs-ha-minh-duc-nguoi-thay-tham-lang-sau-trang-sach-post1543713.html