Dear
- Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Huu Tu, Rector of HMU
- Assoc. Prof. Le Dinh Tung, Vice Rector
- Assoc. Prof. Tran Van Dan, former Vice Head of the Department of Environmental Health, Chairman of the Retired Teachers' Association
- Faculty leaders from various Offices, Departments, and Centers of the University
- Faculty leaders of the School, its units, and all staff and lecturers of the School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
Dear all first-year students and students of subsequent years of the School,
Today, I am delighted to deliver the Opening Speech for the “2024 Freshers' Welcome Ceremony of the School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health”.
On behalf of over 120 staff and employees of the School, I warmly welcome all freshers and thank you for choosing the home of Preventive Medicine and Public Health within the larger home of Hanoi Medical University. I believe that not only I, but all faculty and staff of the School share the joy of welcoming a new cohort of students, especially the first cohort of the Bachelor of Psychology program (where are you, please raise your hands). And what about the Doctors of Preventive Medicine? Bachelors of Public Health? Bachelors of Nutrition?
On this occasion, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the University's Leadership, the Office of Undergraduate Training Management, the Office of Student Affairs and Dormitory Management, and many other units within the university for always supporting and accompanying our School to recruit another excellent cohort of students. I also thank the leaders, staff, and employees of the School, along with the senior students, for their utmost efforts in organizing this highly meaningful event today.
Dear freshers,
I want to tell you a story. Thirty-two years ago, also in September, but in 1992, after graduating from the general medical doctor program (now known as the medical program), I diligently prepared for the Resident Physician entrance exam. At that time, like many general practitioners who graduated before and with me, the only dream was to pass the Resident Physician exam to continue studying for three years at the university, become a skilled clinical doctor, and increase the chances of staying at the University or working in major hospitals. At that time, our cohort did not take the Resident Physician exam immediately after the final academic year, as is done now, and therefore had several months to focus on preparation.
But then a major turning point happened to me. I met the teachers and mentors of the then Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, namely Assoc. Prof. Duong Dinh Thien and Assoc. Prof. Le Vu Anh, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Tran Hien, and Assoc. Prof. Tran Tuan (whom I called 'anh' – older brothers at the time). Assoc. Prof. Thien and the 'anh' in the Epidemiology team persuaded me to stop preparing for the Resident Physician exam and join a newly established unit, the Community Health Research Unit. At that time, the Unit had no official staff positions, no contracts, operated entirely on a voluntary basis, and no one in the leadership of the University, the Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, or the Unit could definitively say what the future of the Unit would be.
At that time, I did not have much understanding of the field of Hygiene and Epidemiology (the former name of Preventive Medicine and Public Health), only remembering that in my fifth year, my exam results for that subject were not as high as for other clinical subjects. You can imagine my worries and concerns at that time when I had to choose between two paths. And then, after just a few times working in the community with the teachers and 'anh', I abandoned my Resident Physician exam preparation and decided to dedicate all my mind and youthful energy to the Community Health Research Unit.
Today, after 32 years, I am extremely honored to stand here as the Director of the School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, whose predecessors were the Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, then the Department of Hygiene-Environment-Epidemiology, the Department of Health Organization, and subsequently the Faculty of Public Health, to welcome the freshers of the School.
Dear students,
Many of you sitting here today probably feel the same way I did 32 years ago, only with the slight difference that I had already graduated from university, while you are just beginning. That feeling is not knowing if your choice is correct, not knowing where this field of study will take you, not knowing what opportunities or challenges await you in the coming years and long-term future, and also not knowing who will support you in the years ahead.
Through my 32 years of experience, I want to share with you, students, that you need to find the answers to these questions through your own efforts.
A famous American author, John C. Maxwell, said, “Everything worthwhile in life is uphill.” I have experienced this, and I hope that you, students, will also have similar experiences in the coming years of your studies at the School.
Strive with love for your choice; by self-studying everywhere, at all times – self-studying from books, from the internet, from teachers, from friends, and from older colleagues throughout your years of study at the School. Be determined to overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Maintain the belief that you always have your family, friends, loved ones (newly met during your studies at the University), and teachers, mentors, and older siblings who always want you to succeed.
Dear faculty and staff of the School,
I believe that every teacher at the School can tell a story similar to mine. Each of us has the right to be proud of our own efforts to achieve the individual and collective accomplishments of the School today.
There is one thing I have not yet mentioned in my story above. That is, at every twist and turn of the past 32 years, and the number of twists and turns is certainly more than can be counted on two hands, I have always been fortunate to have teachers and mentors who were leaders of the University for many terms, leaders of the School for many terms, and seemingly ordinary teachers and lecturers of the Department, Faculty, and School, both domestic and international, who guided, inspired, and provided maximum support.
As our ancestors used to say, “Without a teacher, you cannot succeed.”
Therefore, I hope that all faculty, along with the School's leadership, will always be role models and sources of inspiration for the School's students, helping them to better understand and love the proud historical traditions, values, and identity of the School, and helping them to increasingly trust their choices. In the coming time, the University in general and the School in particular will undergo many changes in training and training management. I understand that these changes will require each teacher to make greater efforts, to change themselves even more, while we also have many other concerns in life and work.
However, we will not retreat because of this! Because before us is our responsibility to our beloved students, to the glorious history of the School, and to the professional pride of each of us.
I wish all freshers, and all faculty and staff of the School, as well as the University's leadership and units, abundant health and success in the new academic year.
Thank you very much.