On January 5, in Hanoi, two DTU medical students, Nguyen Thanh An and Tran Dac Dien, both of K24, received center-level Vietnam “Student of Five Merits” awards, while Ngo Dinh Nam, of K23, was awarded a “January Star” prize, at a ceremony to commemorate the 72nd anniversary Vietnamese Students’ Day and the Vietnam Students’ Association. These awards were due to their sustained efforts, reflecting the continuing optimism of the younger generation today.
Nguyen Thanh An: Go and you will arrive, the entire universe will conspire to help you
Nguyen Thanh An was one of the 72 exemplary center-level Vietnam “Student of Five Merits” awardees. His study plans have been severely disrupted by the pandemic, but he did not grow despondent or give up. On the contrary, he just exploited some new opportunities as soon as they presented themselves.
Thanh An receives a center-level “Student of Five Merits” award
In response to a call from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the global Covid-19 research group, Thanh An took part in writing a book proposing solutions to the pandemic. He is also an official member of the global Online Research Club at Nagasaki University in Japan, and recently had a paper accepted by the American College of Cardiology.
Thanh An represented the organization at meetings on medicine and technology in Vietnam, including those on Asia-Pacific Society of Infection Control, the National Conference on Surgical Science & Endoscopy, and the Global Forum of Young Vietnamese Intellectuals. Recently, An has become well-known through his involvement at the “Connecting Young Leaders of the Health Sector in Vietnam” events.
In addition, Thanh An was selected as an official representative at the 2020 National English Camp of the International Department of the Youth Union Central Committee, and was one of 27 contenders to be selected for the “Communication in English with Patients and Caregivers (CEPAC)” course, given by the US Consulate in HCMC.
Thanh An receives an award at the university
“Receiving an exemplary center-level “Student of Five Merits” award is the start of my journey to build my self-confidence and drive to succeed even further. I hope that the other winners will spread the spirit of this movement, and that the others will strive to win and similarly dedicate themselves to their communities.”
Thanh An’s basic belief is that: “When you really want something and do everything to pursue it, the entire universe will conspire in helping you achieve it.” He envisages all life’s journeys as marathons, beginning with small steps from the starting line, followed by constant, unceasing determination, right until all the hard work is justly rewarded.
Tran Dac Dien: Know how to listen and be patient
Dac Dien’s year of study, activism, and work was also honored by a central-level title of “Student of Five Merits” in the first year he officially took part in the movement.
Tran Dac Dien receiving a center-level “Student of Five Merits” award
Outspoken, a pioneer and a perfectionist, Dien has the habit of taking on much work. He is aware that students should know how to listen carefully and then have the patience to adapt in order to succeed.
“I’m really grateful to Professor Huynh Le Thai Bao, who is always ready to devote precious time to mentor me,” said Dac Dien. “He inspires me in my studies and life in general and encourages me to contribute to the local community. I am a member of the Medical Volunteer club, which he founded. We recently won the Championship of the 2021 Vietnam Social Innovation Challenge with our “Online Medicine Ecosystem” project, launched by the Professor in conjunction with the medical community throughout Vietnam. I was fortunate enough to meet him, to study at DTU, and to have achieved my first major success today.”
Tran Dac Dien, a member of the Medical Volunteer team
Dac Dien has a passion for research and innovation and published a paper in the specialized Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology, volume 49, in 2021. He also competed in the 23rd Eureka Student Research contest and the “Road to Creativepreneur: Youth Start-up Innovation Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic” international student conference, after receiving national-level Certificate of Merit for his community volunteer as a member of the Medical Volunteer club in 2020.
Dac Dien has great pleasure participating in both his studies and physical exercises and always strictly schedules each daily task, without procrastination or breaking his work into pieces.
Ngo Dinh Nam: Living is giving, not just taking
Despite being occupied with his studies and research, Nam is always socially active and holds key positions in the Union and the Association. He is a Member of the Secretariat of the Danang Vietnam Student Association from 2018 to 2023, Deputy-Secretary of the DTU HCMC Communist Youth Union, Youth Union Secretary of the School of Medicine & Pharmacy, and Union Secretary of the Faculty of Medicine.
Ngo Dinh Nam receives his “January Star”
“I’m very grateful to be selected for the ‘January Star’ award,” said Dinh Nam. “By careful planning, I’ve been able to complete my studies and contribute to growth of the Union and Association and the development my own faculty at the same time, and will continue, under any circumstances.”
Previously, between 2016 and 2020, Nam was also granted a Certificate of Merit for his outstanding contribution to the Union and the Youth Movement, and another from 2019 to 2020, for outstanding contributions to the Union and the Youth Movement, in addition to several other Certificates of Merit awarded by the city and university over the past four years.
Ngo Dinh Nam
Dinh Nam’s motto is: “Living is giving, not just taking”, and he has inspired the community and society in general with his personal values and his participation in many volunteer activities, including: blood donations; the Green Summer Campaigns; and his volunteer work in August 2020 at the Hoa Vang Field Hospital. In the future, Nam plans to complete his studies, expand his knowledge and live to continue spreading his ideals.
(Media Center)