Professor Dr. Chu Pham Ngoc Son speaking at the 7th Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Chemistry Association, term 2023-2028 - Photo: HCMUSTA
* Editor's Note: Upon learning of the passing of Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son, Professor Le Ngoc Thach - former lecturer in the Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) - sent Tuoi Tre newspaper an article about his teacher. We respectfully present it to our readers.
From student to employee of the professor.
I first met you when I studied with you for my first-year physical chemistry certificate course in the 1968-1969 academic year. That was my second year studying at the University of Science (Saigon University of Science).
By chance, during the 1969-1970 school year, I became one of his staff members, at the lowest level: part-time preparator (préparateur mi-temps) - a teaching support staff member without a bachelor's degree, receiving a salary only every few months.
At that time, he was the head of the chemistry department. I still remember his office and his desk, on the first floor, in what is now building A, on the right side when going up the stairs, the innermost room. When I became head of the organic chemistry department, I added two long experimental platforms to the walls of this room and converted it into a research room for essential oils.
I remember that the cabinet door under the professor's desk was always "wide open," containing all the keys to the chemical and equipment storage room. It was always "wide open" so that we, the laboratory technicians, could access the chemicals and equipment at any time. That was just the professor's nature; he didn't care about formalities and always prioritized the results of his work to benefit the students.
Leaving behind good things for posterity.
Professor participated in my thesis defense committee as a member. On the day of my defense, he read a comment, and besides the professional aspects, I remember the main point being that students who had worked at the school before 1975 and remained after 1975 had persevered in completing their theses, which was very commendable.
Especially in my case, my supervisor (Professor Le Van Thoi) passed away before I defended my thesis. Hearing him speak brought tears to my eyes as I remembered my beloved mentor who couldn't be present on the day I completed my thesis. Before presenting, I would like to ask the committee and distinguished guests to observe a minute of silence to remember my beloved teacher and colleague.
Many of the books I've compiled recently, such as "Basic Organic Stereochemistry Exercises" and "Organic Chemistry (Main Functional Groups) Volumes 1, 2, and 3," were reviewed by my professor. He reviewed them very thoroughly! The quality of these books is largely due to his contributions, especially in the areas of chemical nomenclature and terminology.
He's very good at both English and French, so the English/French/Vietnamese glossaries, which I usually keep at the end of those books, were all edited by him for me.
Phase transfer catalysts, an important green catalyst in green chemistry and a precursor to ionic liquids, were first introduced to me by my teacher. After returning from France, he immediately introduced this new type of catalyst to everyone.
The collaboration between the chemistry department and Professor André Loupy's laboratory at the University of Orsay (Université Paris-Sud) was organized and facilitated by him. Fortunately, I was the first person selected to work as a postdoctoral researcher at this prestigious university in France.
Everyone must eventually pass away. What is truly precious is that he left behind good things for this world, contributing to the development of our country, and these are things that everyone will be grateful for and remember forever. Teacher Chu Pham Ngoc Son is the teacher who taught me such things!
Farewell, Teacher!
Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son (second from the right) with lecturers from the University of Science (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) - Photo: USHCM
Teachers and scientists are dedicated to their country.
Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son is a renowned scientist and educator in Vietnam, a teacher with many innovative ideas and contributions to science and technology and to the development of Ho Chi Minh City.
He was born in 1936 in Saigon, with his ancestral home in Hung Yen province. In 1954, he studied at the Saigon University of Science (the predecessor of the current University of Science - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City). After passing the PCB certificate in biochemistry and the SPCN certificate in physical, chemical and natural sciences, in 1955, he worked as an assistant and laboratory technician in the university's chemistry lab.
In 1957, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in physics and chemistry and was retained as a lecturer at the Saigon University of Science. In 1958, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. In 1959, he successfully defended his master's thesis and was sent to study as a graduate student at the University of Delaware, USA.
In 1962, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis in organic physical chemistry. Upon returning to Vietnam, he resumed his teaching career at the Saigon University of Science. From the end of 1962, he began teaching chemistry and later several other subjects in subsequent years. He was also invited to teach at many other universities.
After 1975, he remained in Vietnam, continuing his teaching career as a lecturer at the University of Ho Chi Minh City (now the University of Science - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City).
In 1981, Mr. Chu Pham Ngoc Son was awarded the title of Professor of Chemistry by the State. In 1987, he transferred to become the director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Analytical and Experimental Services, and also served as the chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Scientific and Technical Associations. He worked there until his retirement in 2001.
Throughout his career, Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son has published over 200 scientific papers in specialized journals, with 5 of his works put into production; he has also published numerous textbooks and monographs on general chemistry and chemical thermodynamics.
Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son also once advised his students: "The message I want to convey to my students, and if I may, to the young Vietnamese scientific community, can be summed up in these few phrases: respect your teachers, cherish your students, be passionate about research and teaching, and be committed to your country."
In addition to his outstanding achievements in the classroom and laboratory, he also made significant contributions to the country and Ho Chi Minh City in his capacity as a National Assembly representative for three terms (8th, 9th, and 10th); Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; and a member of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment...
He was awarded the Third-Class Labor Medal, the Medal for the Cause of National Unity, the Medal for the Cause of Education, the Medal for the Cause of Science and Technology, the Medal for the Younger Generation, and the Commemorative Medal for the Cause of Mass Mobilization…
Never leaving my profession, teaching.
According to Mr. Phung Quan, Head of the Organization and Administration Department, Faculty of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son is the mentor of many laboratory technicians and has guided countless students, trainees, and postgraduate researchers at various universities.
"Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son is a person who has always been passionate about the field of chemistry, an outstanding leader for many generations of students. Despite his advanced age, he continues his research work, contributing to and serving society, helping to solve pressing social issues in healthcare and food safety and hygiene."
Professor Son never abandoned his profession or teaching, even when he was in charge of managing the Laboratory Analysis Service Center and served three terms as a National Assembly representative. He still dedicated time to teaching postgraduate courses, supervising doctoral students, and presenting at chemistry conferences both domestically and internationally. He instilled in his students a passion for scientific research," Mr. Quan shared.
Information regarding the funeral of Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son.
Professor Chu Pham Ngoc Son, born on April 10, 1936, passed away at 2:02 AM on August 11. His remains are laid to rest at the funeral home of Thong Nhat Hospital (No. 1 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 7, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City).
- The coffin placement ceremony will take place at 7:00 AM on August 14th.
- The memorial service will begin at 9:00 AM on August 14th.
- Memorial service: at 7:00 AM on August 16th
- Funeral procession: at 8:00 AM on August 16th
- Burial place: City Policy Cemetery (Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City).
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nho-thay-chu-pham-ngoc-son-20240812085312058.htm
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