The sower on the land of '4 no' education

GD&TĐ - Leaving the medical and fashion industries to become the principal of a vocational school, Mr. Hoang Quoc Long chose the path his heart told him to take.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Long (in black shirt) - Principal of Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary School (Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City).

2015 opened a new chapter in the passionate career journey of Mr. Hoang Quoc Long (58 years old), when he was officially appointed as Principal of Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary School - a unit of Nguyen Tat Thanh Universityeducation system.

Taking on the role of head of the young school, Mr. Long did not choose the typical statements often seen on inauguration day. "The school started with 4.0 - not the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, but with no teachers, no students, no funding, no facilities," he said.

From white blouse to elegant suit

Before becoming deeply involved in education, Mr. Hoang Quoc Long was a dedicated physician, graduating from the Medical School in 1987.

At that time, Ho Chi Minh City witnessed the strong rise of the suit tailoring industry. His special acumen helped Mr. Long realize the potential opportunities not in the quiet space of the clinic, but hidden in every delicate needle and thread.

The decision to branch out into a completely new field may be considered a bold move, but it was his passion and desire to conquer that urged him to commit. The vest brand “Hoang Long” quickly affirmed its position, resounding from the South to the North, becoming a symbol of elegance and quality.

In 2000, Mr. Hoang Quoc Long officially joined the career of vocational education in a systematic and in-depth manner.

Mr. Long’s tailor shop is not only a place frequented by many customers but also a prestigious vocational “school”, where many students come to learn the secrets of the profession. There was even a time when the tuition fee to study tailoring at Hoang Long shop was up to 3 taels of gold at that time – a huge amount, only for those who were truly passionate and had the financial means.

Success in the fashion industry not only brought Mr. Long economic stability but also trained him in management skills, meticulousness and a high sense of responsibility. However, it seems that deep in his heart, the fire of sharing and the desire to impart knowledge is always smoldering.

“When I received invitations to teach at vocational training centers, I suddenly realized that it was the job of standing on the podium, imparting my accumulated experiences and knowledge to the next generation, that truly moved my heart sincerely and deeply,” Mr. Long shared.

To nurture and develop that passion, Mr. Long decided to return to the classroom to study for a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering Pedagogy at the University of Education in Thu Duc City.

Equipping himself with systematic and in-depth pedagogical knowledge helped Mr. Long qualify to become an official lecturer, laying a solid foundation for the educational career he chose.

Journey of sowing seeds on the land of "4 no"

Since 2000, Mr. Long has officially been involved in vocational education in a systematic and in-depth manner. With practical experience accumulated in the process of building and developing fashion brands, along with a solid pedagogical foundation, he quickly affirmed his ability and enthusiasm in the field of vocational training.

The biggest turning point in his educational career probably came in 2015, when he received the decision to take over Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary School. At that time, the school faced numerous difficulties, as the teacher said with concern: “No teachers, no students, no funding, no facilities.”

Mr. Hoang Quoc Long (left) at the MOU signing ceremony of cooperation agreement with RCRC vocational training center - Chenla University (Cambodia).

A start from almost zero, a true "empty garden" is waiting for the "sower" with courage and passion.

Undaunted by the mounting challenges, Mr. Long began his journey to rebuild everything from the ground up. With a strong belief in the potential of vocational education and a determination to provide students with the best learning opportunities, he gradually built a team of dedicated and competent administrators and teachers.

Along with that, Mr. Long especially focuses on investing and upgrading facilities - from the initial simple classrooms to modern practice workshops, capable of meeting the practical training requirements of each profession.

One of the key factors in his development strategy is to build a training program that is close to the needs of the labor market, focusing on application, practicality and improving the employability of students after graduation.

Mr. Long (in blue shirt) with colleagues and students of Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary School.

The first industries that Mr. Long chose to implement were all fields with high demand for human resources and practicality, such as: Sewing technology (continuing his professional experience), Beauty care, Automotive engineering technology, Refrigeration, Applied information technology...

“This choice not only helps the school attract students but also ensures they have a stable career future after graduation,” Mr. Long shared.

The journey of "sowing seeds" on the land of "4 no's" has gradually borne fruit, turning a Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary School that seemed to have no future into a prestigious vocational training address, helping thousands of students achieve their dreams.

Vocational education is not just about teaching a job.

Mr. Long always believes that vocational education is not simply about imparting professional skills and knowledge so that students can earn a living, but also a journey of inspiration, awakening the hidden potential in each student. Thereby, helping them shape their life goals and have the motivation to excel in life.

For me, career counseling is not just about introducing careers, but also about listening to and understanding the desires, interests and abilities of each student, thereby helping them choose the path that best suits them.

"Most of the students studying at the school are children of ordinary working-class families, with difficult learning conditions and family circumstances. Therefore, providing dedicated career counseling, instilling in them a passion for the profession, and more importantly, inspiring them to live and orienting them towards clear goals for the future, becomes a key factor in the entire educational process at the school."

Besides teaching, inspiring positive living and working is also a special focus of Mr. Long.

Through stories of perseverance and success in the profession, I hope to inspire in students self-belief, the will to rise up and the desire to change their lives with their own hands and minds.

"A good teacher can impart professional skills well. But a great teacher is someone who knows how to inspire, arouse curiosity in students, and urge them to explore the hidden values ​​within themselves. From there, help them grow not only in knowledge but also in personality, and ultimately achieve true success in life," Mr. Long affirmed.

With only about 100 students enrolled in the first year, Nguyen Tat Thanh College has now developed to 21 majors, with more than 1,500 students studying each year.

In particular, the Beauty and Modeling industry has become a bright spot in attracting a large number of students, thanks to job opportunities right after graduation and attractive starting salaries, ranging from 7 to 10 million VND/month.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/nguoi-soeo-hat-tren-manh-dat-giao-duc-4-khong-post732412.html