Teacher single-handedly became a doctor at the age of 68

Teacher Tran Quoc Nhuan is teaching geography at Duy Tan High School, Tuy Hoa City (Phu Yen) - Photo: NVCC

When he was 6 years old, he was shot in the arm and lost his right hand. However, he still tried to rise up, studied hard and inspired many generations of students throughout 44 years standing on the podium.

Talking to Tuoi Tre reporter, teacher Nhuan emphasized the role of learning in life and the joy and happiness of inspiring each student.

Only education can change life

* Sir, how did losing your right hand affect your studies?

- I remember in 1962, when I was 6 years old, I had an accident that severed my right hand. Since then, I started to practice writing with my left hand. Back then, it was very difficult to go to school. My family worked hard to send me to school, so no matter how difficult it was, I tried my best.

I know I lost an arm, if I don't study then I won't have a future when I grow up.

When I was young, my friends often teased me. Riding a bike was a challenge, but I still practiced. No matter what people said, I just focused on studying and found it a joy and passion.

Growing up, in order to ride a motorbike to teach, I made a metal ring around the motorbike's throttle handle just big enough to fit my elbow in. Then I tied it with a rope and turned the throttle based on feeling. Then when I started teaching, gradually everything became okay over time.

* During 44 years of teaching, what is the most memorable memory for you?

- I have a student named Ly Thi Thuy (43 years old, currently a teacher at Phu Yen Province Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities). Thuy is my special student.

When Thuy was in 10th grade, her family got her married. However, Thuy still wanted to go to school so she asked me to talk to her husband's family to postpone the wedding so she could finish high school. Thuy loved studying so much that I loved her very much.

After finishing high school, Thuy passed the university entrance exam and continued her studies. In her third year of university, Thuy got married. After graduating and having a job, Thuy supported her younger brother, her husband and her younger brother-in-law while they were in university.

She was so studious and talented. Thuy herself later told me that it was thanks to going to school that she became a teacher and turned her whole family into educated people, and their lives changed completely.

Geography gives me great joy

* What motivated you to go to doctoral school at the age of 60 and become a doctor at the age of 68?

- Since I was a child, I have loved researching and learning about geography. I find it brings me great joy, so I am determined to learn a lot about it to gain more knowledge and pass it on to my students.

I remember my high school teacher. He taught geography and history very well. He was the one who inspired me later.

He once told me: Uncle Ho once said that Lenin advised us to study, study more, study forever. Let's just listen to his teachings. He is the beloved father of the nation. His teachings are never wrong, so I remember them forever and always remind myself to continue studying.

In 1981, I graduated from Hue University of Education with a degree in geography. At that time, I wanted to continue my studies but my family was too poor. I had to put my dream aside.

It was not until 20 years after graduation, from 1997 to 2021, that I was able to study and graduate with a bachelor's degree in history from Hue University of Sciences and a master's degree in geography - population education from Hanoi National University of Education. I was very happy at that time.

And in 2019, when I was 63 years old, I had the opportunity to study for a doctorate. At that time, I was the oldest person in the class and everyone in the school was surprised. My whole family was happy and wished me success in my academic career.

At that time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my studies were suspended and have lasted until now. I am really happy and am also continuing to research and learn about geography.

* In your opinion, how is geography teaching today and do you have any advice for young colleagues?

- To make geography a favorite subject for students is not easy but not difficult either. The difficulty is how teachers can inspire their students to study, research, and explore this subject. Only then will the subject become interesting to them.

That means you should not impart specialized knowledge mechanically, but integrate related knowledge to increase students' emotional quotient, to make each day at school a happy day for them. Then the subject will naturally attract students.

For me, I always consider school as my home and students as my children. I always want to be close to and share knowledge with my students so that they can grow up, become more talented and contribute more to the country.

Self-study English

* How did you feel when you successfully defended your doctoral thesis?

- I am really happy. I am happy because when defending my thesis, I learned English by myself, researched and read a lot of foreign books and documents and my eyes were opened a lot.

I find that my knowledge of geography is still very little. Out there is a whole sky of knowledge that I really want to know and understand more.

I really thank my family, colleagues, agency... for helping and supporting me to have today.

Mr. Tran Khac Le (Director of Department of Education and Training of Phu Yen province)

* Mr. Tran Khac Le (Director of Department of Education and Training of Phu Yen province) :

Full of passion and enthusiasm

Mr. Nhuan is a role model for students, teachers, and colleagues. He is always full of passion and enthusiasm for teaching and research.

At an age when many people have retired and enjoyed their old age with their families, the teacher still diligently researches, studies and imparts knowledge to his students, which is extremely valuable.

* Ms. Ly Thi Thuy (teacher at Phu Yen Province Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities):

If it weren't for you, I would still be working on the farm in the countryside.

Ms. Ly Thi Thuy (teacher at Phu Yen Province Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities)

I am who I am today thanks to Mr. Nhuan. Besides being my teacher, I always consider him as my benefactor because he wholeheartedly guided, instructed, and advised me.

The day my family forced me to get married, I was very worried because my dream was to continue studying. At that time, both families opposed my studying because they were worried that if I finished studying, I would leave and never come back.

I don’t know what Mr. Nhuan said to both families, but after that, everyone seemed to trust him more. After I finished school and got a job, my whole family started to change their minds and invest in their children’s education. That made me very happy.

If it weren't for Mr. Nhuan, I would still be working hard breaking noodles, pulling weeds, and working on the fields in my hometown.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thay-giao-mot-tay-thanh-tien-si-o-tuoi-68-20241012223002052.htm