These are the mentors who have guided my life.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Standing on the stage at this honorary ceremony, I remember the gratitude I owe to the three mentors who guided me to this glorious moment.

On December 25, 2025, I was honored to be one of 25 exemplary collectives and individuals nationwide recognized for their outstanding achievements in studying and following the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh at the "Ho Chi Minh - Journey of Aspiration" program.

These are the teachers who guided me onto the path of scientific research.

My first mentor who guided me into the path of scientific research was Professor Dao Van Tien - the founder of zoology in Vietnam.

Dr. Nguyen Thai Tu (Photo: Hoang Lam).

While I was a second-year student, Professor chose me as the subject of his scientific research. Even when I was already an educational officer at Vinh University of Education (Nghe An, now Vinh University), Professor still recruited me into the "Animal and Parasite Investigation" team, which he and Professor Dang Van Ngu led. I was the only member not working in Hanoi .

This was the first organization to undertake the task of conducting basic research on Vietnam's biological resources, a task that was later taken over by the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

Professor Dao Van Tien - the founder of zoology in Vietnam (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper).

In 2012, standing on the stage of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology to receive the Ho Chi Minh Award for contributions to the field of fisheries, I was deeply moved as I remembered the person who laid the foundation for this prestigious award.

When the Ministry of Education assigned the Biology Department of the University of Vinh to be responsible for teaching first-year Biology at Vinh Pedagogical University, Professor Dao Van Tien directly assigned me the task of teaching zoology.

At that time, the Biology students had all gathered, but the professor was still absent. I was one of the first three teaching staff members of the Biology department. Fresh off the boat, we had to start teaching immediately. Not only that, we simultaneously worked as teaching staff and assistants, purchasing equipment for practical lessons and helping the library buy books and journals…

Professor Nguyen Thuc Hao and his wife (Photo: Hieu Minh Blog).

Then the university offered me the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies. When I went to complete the paperwork, Professor Hao (Professor Nguyen Thuc Hao, Rector of Vinh University of Education) advised me: "Don't go home, and don't write a letter home. Write a letter once you arrive. The university is letting you go, but the local authorities aren't entirely in agreement."

I followed my professor's instructions exactly, but even after arriving in Hanoi, I had to return because "your research topic doesn't have a supervising professor yet." I believed him. It wasn't until the Vietnamese embassy in Germany waited and waited but I didn't show up that I finally agreed.

So it was about "background information"! Only then did I truly understand the sincerity in Mr. Hao's advice. His words were no longer those of a superior to an employee, but more like a father's advice to his son. Recalling it, I couldn't hold back my tears.

I still remember vividly, during a meeting of heads of departments at the entire school in Dien Lam (formerly Dien Chau district, Nghe An province), the Principal conveyed the idea that "Vinh Pedagogical University must have a leading position in scientific research." I was determined to make it happen.

My research project "Fish of the Lam River" received a commendation and a reward from the Ministry of Education. Following that, I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation "Fish Fauna of the Lam River Basin". My research project "Biodiversity Conservation in the Northern Truong Son Mountains" not only became a leading topic domestically but also extended to collaborative research with scientists in Europe and America.

All the achievements I have just mentioned are the result of the guiding ideology of my esteemed mentor, Master Nguyen Thuc Hao.

A teacher I've never met.

The two mentors I just mentioned are two people I received direct instruction from, while another mentor, at a macro level, I only benefited from indirectly through articles.

The University and Vocational High School Journal helped me gradually absorb and enthusiastically implement the principle of higher education of Professor Ta Quang Buu, Minister of the Ministry of Universities and Vocational High Schools: "Combining teaching and learning with scientific research to serve practice."

By combining teaching and learning with scientific research, I have ignited a passion for learning and scientific research in students and equipped them with a scientific way of thinking. I consider this as the wings that will enable them to grow and access new knowledge independently when they enter the workforce.

Professor Ta Quang Buu and General Vo Nguyen Giap (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper).

Through this experience, I gradually improved my skills. I was selected by the Educational Publishing House as one of two co-authors to write a complete set of vertebrate textbooks, covering both theory and practice, for use in universities and teacher training colleges nationwide, even though I did not yet have a doctoral degree.

I consider the integration of teaching, learning, and scientific research to be the most important means of both improving my own skills and enhancing the quality of university education.

According to Professor Ta Quang Buu's principle of university education, scientific research serving practical needs means that teachers and students in universities use their intellectual capacity through scientific research to solve problems posed by social realities. Conversely, society must provide financial support to universities.

My scientific research topics are all aimed at serving the economic and social development of Nghe Tinh province, such as the topic "Lam River Fish" or, more broadly, the topic "Biodiversity Conservation in the Northern Truong Son Mountains".

That is why I have always received extremely effective assistance from the Minister of Fisheries Nguyen Tan Trinh and the Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe Tinh province Tran Quang Dat, the directors of national parks in the Northern Truong Son region, and international organizations such as WWF, FFI, EU, the Vietnam-Netherlands Program, the Southeast Asian Biodiversity Conservation Center, etc.

Through practical scientific research, I have built strong teams of teachers and students. These teams leverage the erudition and experience of the teachers while combining it with the quick wit and creativity of the students.

This group uses scientific research to improve the quality of training, solve practical problems, and generate financial resources for both faculty and students. My graduate students and doctoral candidates not only don't have to pay out of pocket to collect data but are also paid for their work.

The results of the 2nd "Biodiversity Conservation Workshop in the Northern Truong Son Mountains" were supported by the Danish Embassy with a grant of 2 million USD. This is one of many compelling proofs of Professor Ta Quang Buu's principles for university education.

The tranquil Lam River, and the majestic National Parks of Ben En (Thanh Hoa), Pu Mat (Nghe An), Vu Quang (Ha Tinh), Phong Nha - Ke Bang (Quang Tri), and Bach Ma (Hue) are all magnificent lecture halls.

In that environment, we, as a group of teachers and students, simultaneously taught, studied, and conducted scientific research, and were nurtured to steadily grow under the guidance of Professor Ta Quang Buu's principle of higher education: "Combining teaching and learning with scientific research to serve practical needs."

Dr. Nguyen Thai Tu

(Former lecturer at Vinh University)

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nhung-vi-su-bieu-da-dan-dat-doi-toi-20260218220742731.htm