To answer the question of how to inspire passion for scientific research in each student from the classroom, reporters of the People's Army Electronic Newspaper had an interview with Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Cao Hai Thuong, Head of the Department of Chemistry - Technical Physics, Military Technical Academy.

Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Cao Hai Thuong, Head of the Department of Chemistry - Technical Physics.

PV: In recent years, the Faculty of Chemistry - Technical Physics, Military Technical Academy is one of the faculties with many impressive achievements in guiding students to participate in scientific research and training teams to participate in national student Olympic competitions. Could you please tell us about the results achieved?

Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Cao Hai Thuong: The scientific research work of the Faculty's students in the past 5 years (2018-2023) has achieved encouraging results: 100% of the topics were completed on schedule, the topic acceptance process at the subcommittees was serious, fair and objective, based on the evaluation and classification, the Faculty selected excellent topics to propose reports at the plenary session "Youth scientific creativity".

Of the 47 topics implemented, 10 topics were classified as excellent and were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Academy; 8 topics were classified as good and were awarded Certificates of Merit; 5 topics were presented at the Plenary Session. Many topics have high application orientation and are novel and can be published in international journals in the fields of energy storage materials, environmental materials, etc.

Students practice experiments.

In 2020, the topic "Research on synthesis of biological agent decontamination agents for use in emergency situations" by students of Chemistry Class 52 won the Encouragement Prize "Creative Youth of the Army" in 2020. In 2018, 2021 and 2022, the Faculty had 1 topic winning the third prize, 1 second prize and 1 first prize in the field of Science, Technology and Engineering for students in higher education institutions organized by the Ministry of Education and Training in coordination with the Central Youth Union and the Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technical Innovation (VIFOTEC).

In particular, in 2022, the topic "Synthesis of NiCoFe-LDO materials, application as catalysts in environmental treatment" conducted by a group of students Nguyen Hoang Duc, Vi Thai Binh, Chemistry Class, K54, under the guidance of Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trung Dung, won the first prize in the field of Science, Technology and Engineering in 2022. In addition, this group of students also received the Future Energy Scholarship from AES Vietnam.

With these achievements, the Ministry of Education and Training awarded a certificate of merit to the Faculty of Chemistry - Technical Physics for its outstanding achievements in organizing scientific research activities for students in 2022.

The selection and training of teams participating in the National Physics and Chemistry Olympiads for students has always received attention and care from the Party Committee, the Faculty's commanders and the departments. In recent years, the Academy's Physics and Chemistry Olympiad teams have often won high prizes, especially in the experimental and practical competitions. Typically, the Academy's Physics Olympiad team has always won first prize in the National Physics Olympiad for students ( especially in 2022, it won a special prize; in which the experimental and practical scores were the highest among the participating teams ) with 3 first prizes and 4 second prizes. The Chemistry Olympiad team won the second prize in the team and individuals won 3 first prizes, 5 second prizes, and 2 third prizes in the National Chemistry Olympiad for students in 2023.

Instructors directly guide students in experimental practice.

PV: According to you, what is the driving force that helps the Faculty of Chemistry - Technical Physics achieve these achievements?

Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Cao Hai Thuong: The results that the Faculty of Chemistry - Technical Physics has achieved in guiding students and students in scientific research in recent times have many combined factors.

Firstly , it is from the policies of the Party Committee and the Board of Directors of the Academy on scientific research activities (for all staff and lecturers) in the school in general and on scientific research of students in particular - creating in them a passion and habit of scientific research right from the second year of university.

Second , it is the enthusiasm of the staff and lecturers in the unit to guide students to participate in scientific research; especially the young staff and lecturers who have just returned from PhD training abroad.

Students of the Military Technical Academy participate in the Physics Olympiad.

Third , from the tradition of scientific research left by previous generations of students, or in other words, students majoring in Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the Faculty are inspired by their teachers to have a passion and love for scientific research and discovery activities. In recent years, the Party Committee and the Faculty's leadership have always required departments to build a bank of topics for students to register to participate in scientific research. Each group is encouraged to have 2-3 students or more; and there is a combination of students from different courses. Students in the lower courses who are just learning the basics of the subject can join with students from the upper courses to learn research methods, etc.

And one of the equally important reasons that brings about scientific research results is the investment in physical equipment and laboratories of the Army and the Academy for the Faculty in recent times. That is the necessary condition for the staff, lecturers and students in the Faculty to realize their passion for scientific research.

PV : The characteristic of the Faculty of Chemistry - Technical Physics is that students' practice must be carried out in laboratories. So how can we ensure the safety of students and lecturers during the experiments, helping scientific research to be smooth, sir?

Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Cao Hai Thuong : Practical skills for students are one of the important criteria in the output standards of the training program. Therefore, from the first years, students have had to practice in Physics and Chemistry laboratories. Due to the specific experimental and practical characteristics of Chemistry and Physics, ensuring safety is a top requirement. Students are equipped with basic knowledge and skills on safety regulations and working rules in laboratories, as well as training in emergency handling skills... Moreover, students are always given detailed instructions and support by teachers, lecturers and technicians throughout the experimental process.

Students of the Military Technical Academy received the 2022 Science and Technology Award for students in higher education institutions.

PV: In the coming time, what measures will the Faculty of Chemistry and Engineering Physics take to promote scientific research guidance for students to achieve the best results?

Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Cao Hai Thuong : First of all, in terms of awareness, it is necessary to have a clear understanding from the leaders of the Faculty and Department to all staff, lecturers, technicians and students of the position and importance of scientific research activities in universities, thereby promoting students' passion for scientific research, creating opportunities for students to develop creative thinking, and practicing skills in developing scientific ideas.

Through scientific research activities, students will grasp the method from thinking to practical action when solving a specific problem: From collecting documents to writing an overview, conducting experiments, analyzing, evaluating and discussing the results obtained to structure a summary report, and finally a report highlighting the results of the project implementation to the Council.

These activities help students develop comprehensively, cultivate solid theory, master practical skills, train their mettle, scientific confidence and be trained in teamwork skills, which are all mandatory qualities and abilities to integrate and develop to meet job requirements in the context of globalization and the 4.0 Industrial Revolution.

A very important aspect to the quality of scientific research guidance for students is the preparation of the staff and lecturers. Careful preparation of the topic bank not only helps students update new scientific knowledge but also closely follows the practical needs of the Army. Therefore, in the past time, along with the policy of the Ministry of National Defense, the Faculty has developed a plan to send young lecturers to practice at technical units throughout the army to familiarize themselves with new technical equipment at the units, and at the same time grasp the technical needs at the unit. And encourage and motivate student scientific research groups to actively participate in scientific seminars, the Army Creative Youth movement, and the Physics and Chemistry Olympiads to enhance exchanges and learning, while affirming the quality of training. Thereby, we can see the strengths that need to be promoted and the limitations to gradually overcome, further improve the quality of the student scientific research movement and contribute to improving the quality of training.

PV: Thank you, comrade!

HAI YEN (performed)