With an impressive record of achievements, they have many reasons to talk about learning. But hidden beneath the confident smile, there is always a journey of constant effort and striving.

Young teacher Trinh Quang Thach (first right) is encouraging his students to be more creative in their studies. Photo: HUYNH LE

Just go, you will arrive

A year ago, a student from Da Nang, Trinh Quang Thach (born in 2001), made an impression when he became the valedictorian of the Hanoi National University of Education, Viet Nam, with an average score of 3.98/4.0. Thach was also the person with the highest graduation score in the Faculty of Geography, opening up many job opportunities in the capital.

However, after the graduation ceremony, he decided to decline the invitation to stay at the university to return to Da Nang.

“The teaching profession has been cherished by me since my high school years, especially when I won second prize in Geography at the national excellent pupil competition and was directly admitted to the Hanoi National University of Education. When I held my bachelor's degree in my hand, I wanted to return to Da Nang immediately to experience the feeling of standing on the podium" Thach recalled.

With a bright face and a constant smile on his lips, the young man has inspired with his story of studying and his journey back to his hometown to become a teacher. At FPT Primary and Secondary School, Thach's first batch of young students were still at the age of "not yet full, not yet worried", but after a period of studying with the teacher, they knew how to plan and manage their time well. Outside of class, Thach encouraged his students to go to the library to read books and use their phones to look up information. Especially before exams, students were required to make their own outlines, build sets of questions for the subject and answer them to memorize the content as well as form a habit of self-study.

When standing on the podium, the young teacher often combines textbook content with real-life stories to bring students closer to the beauty of geography. For example, when teaching about topography, he will tell stories about the Han River, Cu De River, Son Tra Peninsula, Hai Van Quan or the fields in Hoa Vang to make students proud of where they live. In addition, he uses digital maps, online geography applications and virtual reality (VR) to help students visualise more clearly the natural phenomena, climate or terrain in each locality.

During the teaching process, Thach encourages students to apply knowledge into practice through group projects. For example, students can research the flooding situation in Da Nang and propose solutions based on the knowledge they have learned. This activity not only helps students understand more deeply but also trains their ability to work in groups, think critically and present ideas. Not only a teacher, Thach also becomes a companion of students in the journey of discovering knowledge as well as spreading the message that learning never ends. “Just go, and you will arrive. Try, and you will achieve”.

"Becoming a teacher in my hometown is the right decision, because I want to contribute to the development of the local education sector and help students have more confidence and motivation on the path of learning", Thach said with a cheerful, hopeful look. During this time, he has focused on teaching while continuing to improve his English level to 7.0 IELTS to have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to study abroad. Because "to be a teacher of others, you must be good, have a solid grasp of knowledge and, most of all, spread the spirit of continuous learning and self-improvement".

Mr. Truong Quoc Dai (first right) is discussing with leading scientists about advanced materials and nanoscience.

Learning from lab

Truong Quoc Dai (born in 1998), a PhD student in Advanced Materials and Nanosciences at the Brno University of Technology, the Czech Republic, said that his main achievements so far have been the knowledge, experience and lessons learned during his scientific research.

According to him, science is not for those who are impatient, but requires patience and constant search for new solutions. That is also the reason why he spent most of his time in the lab during his time studying Environmental Engineering at the University of Science and Technology - the University of Da Nang.

“During about 6 years of studying for my undergraduate and master's degree here, I spent most of my time in the lab and realized that only scientific research can help me develop my professional knowledge, thinking and problem-solving skills,” Dai said.

Coming to the Czech Republic to do research since 2023, for him this is a turning point in his journey of studying and researching, where he believes that "science can bring positive changes to the community". He said that one of the factors that makes him love research work is the feeling of contributing to the common development of humanity. Working with leading scientists and participating in international projects helps him change his perspective on the role of science in solving global problems.

"Science is not always easy and sometimes I feel like I am on a path with no end. But every experiment, every study, whether successful or not, is a valuable lesson, helping me get closer to the truth", Dai concluded.

In recent times, Dai's research has focused on environmental issues and climate change. He shared that nanomaterials have potential for wide application, especially in developing countries like Viet Nam where wastewater treatment systems are still limited. With personal efforts, Dai aims for a bigger goal, which is to contribute to sustainable development in Viet Nam in the future. Therefore, when asked about his future plans, he said he wants to return to Viet Nam to develop projects related to renewable energy and environmental technology.

“I believe that learning does not stop at school or a specific country. It is a lifelong journey, every day is an opportunity to learn something new and create value for society,” he said.

The two stories of Trinh Quang Thach and Truong Quoc Dai, a young teacher on the podium and a researcher in the laboratory, are two different pieces but share the same goal of contributing to the development of the community through knowledge. Thach chose to return to his homeland, sowing the seeds of knowledge for young students. On the contrary, Dai travels far to study, discover new things in the field of science and from there find solutions to global problems.

Reporting by HUYNH LE - Translating by M.DUNG, V.DUNG