People who care about education all their life

A close minister

Regardless, the late Minister of Education and Training Tran Hong Quan is very close to his subordinates, always respecting opinions and listening. An official with many years working under 6 ministers commented on Prof. Tran Hong Quan thus.

In 1994, I went to the office of Minister Tran Hong Quan to get an autograph. I had never met Professor Tran Hong Quan before, but I had to "boldly" come to see him because without the signature of the Minister of Education and Training at that time, I would not have been able to defend my deputy doctoral thesis this month. 10 to then go to Singapore to study a short course on total quality management.

HCMC University of Science and Technology

I thought he'd be annoyed anyway, but my business couldn't wait, so I ventured to meet him. I waited in front of his office door because the secretary said he only came back for lunch and signed some documents and then went to the National Assembly again in the afternoon. Fortunately, at about 12 o'clock, I saw him return, I briefly talked about my request, he said why not let the office friends submit it, but he still signed it.

Last May, when I went with former Deputy Minister of Education and Training Tran Van Nhung to visit him, I reminded him of this, he smiled and said he did not remember it.

Contributing to education innovation

After finishing the role of Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Tran Hong Quan moved to the propaganda department, then retired, I had the opportunity to meet him again at conferences and seminars of the Association of Non-public Universities and Colleges. established, later the Association of Universities and Colleges of Vietnam. During those times, I saw him calling people to write articles, then directing the editing, choosing a conference venue, providing food and accommodation for the brothers to attend...

In addition to meetings of a business nature, I also met him at meetings of a friend nature. It is a group of people interested in education in Ho Chi Minh City led by him.

Prof. Tran Hong Quan and friends formed a group of people interested in education. The group of about 30 people – including those who are interested in education are some senior education managers such as former Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Nguyen Tan Phat; Dr. Vu Ngoc Hoang; Prof. Luong Ngoc Toan; Prof. Tran Xuan Nhi; some people have a long time working in the field of education such as Prof. Ly Hoa, Prof. Nguyen The Huu, Dr. Ho Thieu Hung, Dr. Huynh Cong Minh; some intellectuals knowledgeable about education such as Prof. Pham Phu, Prof. Ho Sy Thoang, Prof. Nguyen Thien Tong, Prof. Tran Huu Ta, Mr. Tran Chut; some intellectuals from abroad return or work for educational institutions abroad such as Dr. Tran Canh, Dr. Tran Xuan Thao...

I joined the group in 2015, when the teacher asked me to join the group because the group now also needs "young people" to jointly maintain the activities of this unnamed club. The group's activities are voluntary, everyone contributes funds, when there is something to be discussed, Professor Tran Hong Quan together with Professor Nguyen The Huu inform the group about the topic to be discussed.

HCMC University of Science and Technology

Nowhere is it possible that Professor Tran Hong Quan does not talk about education in his country passionately. He has been the first contributor to educational innovation since 1987 - the first conference in Nha Trang, opening the way for educational innovation. 

Now that education in the country has developed, the changes in the development of non-public education have now made certain achievements that he is one of the pioneers, a person who steadfastly follows it because of its quality. Higher education was something he cared about all his life.

There will be no more listening to passionate things with a dry voice and a smile always on the lips. Professor Tran Hong Quan is gone, but he will always stay with our generations of educators.