The path of education… is difficult
Mr. Nguyen Tan Thanh was born and raised in a family with a tradition of studiousness in Binh Tan district, Vinh Long province. Since childhood, the student named Thanh loved reading books, learning English, French and practicing writing Tang poetry... After completing primary school in Vinh Long, the student Thanh was sent by his family to Can Tho to take the entrance exam to Phan Thanh Gian High School.
At this level, Thanh unfortunately suffered from asthma, which greatly affected his studies. For 12 years, his family tried to treat him, but the disease still haunted Thanh until he was 22 years old.
Mr. Thanh said that after overcoming many difficulties and graduating from the second grade in Can Tho, he packed his bags and went to Saigon to pursue his high school diploma. After a period of studying, in 1965, Mr. Thanh graduated with a double high school diploma: Mathematics and Literature.
Because of his Math and Literature degree, Mr. Thanh was accepted to teach at two centers during this time. Thanks to that, he had money to cover his living expenses and prepare for university.
In 1967, Mr. Thanh was admitted to the Literature Department of Can Tho University. With his diligence, hard work and love of writing since childhood, after 5 years of studying, Mr. Thanh received a BA in Literature in 1972. This was the first BA in Literature course of Can Tho University.
The joy of teaching at Can Tho City High School (now Chau Van Liem High School) did not last long, Mr. Thanh's wife became terminally ill. Not long after, his wife passed away, leaving behind 4 young children, the oldest just over 8 years old, the youngest just over 1 year old.
As a single father, Mr. Thanh applied for many teaching jobs, then he woke up at 2-3am, cycled to take people to the market, did business to earn money to raise his children and go to graduate school. However, with the job of “knocking children’s heads”, Mr. Thanh’s salary could not cover the cost of studying for a master’s degree and the food and education of his four young children.
Recalling the past, Mr. Thanh shared: “There were times when my family was in such difficulty that I had to send my two children to my paternal and maternal relatives to take care of them so that I could focus on defending my master’s thesis. Unexpectedly, when the thesis was almost completed, my supervisor suddenly passed away. So for the third time, my studies had to be interrupted.”
After that incident, Mr. Thanh focused on teaching and opened a foreign language and translation center. With all the money he earned, Mr. Thanh took care of his four daughters' education; although at times, his children had to sit and sell grilled bananas, do laundry for hire, etc. to earn money to help their father. Feeling Mr. Thanh's sacrifice, all four children studied hard and diligently. Thanks to that, Mr. Thanh's children have now all graduated from university, have families, and have stable jobs.
87-year-old man's plan to get master's and doctorate degrees
According to Mr. Thanh, he retired in 1995. Since then, Mr. Thanh has focused all his time on his foreign language and translation center. During his time devoted to the career of "cultivating people", Mr. Thanh has continuously studied, especially foreign languages.
According to Professor Ha Thanh Toan (former Principal of Can Tho University, a former student of Mr. Thanh), for many years, Mr. Thanh's center has been an internship place for students of the Foreign Languages Department. He knows many languages, is always passionate about his profession and devoted to his students.
Mr. Thanh said that when he graduated from high school, he was fluent in English, French, and Chinese. From these three languages, Mr. Thanh learned German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Malaysian, Korean, and Japanese. Thanks to that, Mr. Thanh's translation center was certified by the competent authority to translate eight languages.
While talking to reporters, Mr. Thanh's phone rang continuously. There were calls from distant friends asking after seeing the news about him passing the entrance exam to graduate school; calls to send translations, invitations to write articles...
Sharing about his plan to get a master's degree in Literature, Mr. Thanh said: "I have been waiting for this class for 2-3 years. Before that, I emailed 5 universities, asking about graduate classes and doctoral training programs. Fortunately, Can Tho University opened a graduate class and also trained at the doctoral level. Therefore, I registered for the exam and passed the entrance exam. The class will start from August 2024."
In that joyful excitement, Mr. Thanh also told us that recently, the Board of Directors of Can Tho University awarded him a one-year scholarship and the Can Tho City Association for Promoting Education just praised him as a studious elderly person. These encouragements were very meaningful to him, as in the past, his studies encountered many difficulties.
Mr. Thanh shared: “My friends and children are worried about my studies, but I feel that my health is good. Studying for a master's and doctorate, most of the time is spent on research; therefore, I do not feel much pressure, because I have a habit of reading, researching and writing. Due to my limited health, I have asked to shorten my training time, which means I have to study more to get my master's and doctorate degrees in Vietnamese Literature in time. Currently, I just hope that my health will always be good to fulfill this wish as Uncle Ho taught: Study, study more, study forever”.
Although he is 87 years old, Mr. Thanh is still healthy and has a clear mind. Every day, he receives and replies to emails, contacts relatives and friends mostly on Zalo. He regularly goes to the foreign language and translation center with 4 enthusiastic employees. Currently, Mr. Thanh is waiting for the official opening of the graduate class so that he can satisfy his desire to learn about Vietnamese literature and art, which he has had since he was in school.
Mr. Nguyen Tan Thanh became known to many people when he was determined to get a master's degree at the age of 87. He is also admired by many people because he is fluent in 10 languages. In particular, the literary and artistic community also knows Mr. Thanh's talent in literature, painting and music . To date, he has published more than 20 collections of poetry, stories, music and fine arts, such as: Autumn Confessions (Poetry - Literature Publishing House - 2004); Love Wharf (Poetry - Literature Publishing House 2008); Love Only Once (Short Stories - Writers Association Publishing House - 2021); Love Forever (Music Collection - Music Publishing House - 2013)...
In addition, Mr. Thanh also edited, proofread and translated more than 25 poetry collections: Poetry of Duong and Ly dynasties by Ngo Ho Anh Khoi (Writers Association Publishing House - 2013); Homeland by Tran Tuyen (Culture - Literature Publishing House - 2016); Life and Poetry by Huynh Van Ba (Writers Association Publishing House - 2021)...
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/giao-duc--y-te1/tp-can-tho-cuu-giao-chuc-87-tuoi-thong-thao-10-ngon-ngu-quyet-tam-lay-bang-mach-si-van-hoc--i378797/
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