Hanoi University of Science and Technology recently informed about a beautiful, simple but touching gesture: Teacher Bui Long Bien - senior lecturer in the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Hanoi University of Science and Technology - has decided to donate 1 billion VND to establish a scholarship fund for poor students overcoming difficulties.
Mr. Bui Long Bien taught at this school from 1960 to 2002. After more than 40 years of tireless work in the teaching profession, Mr. Bien retired. Now, at the age of 88, instead of keeping that money to himself, he chooses to share with the generation of students struggling with difficulties in life and studying.
According to Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Mr. Bien's money will be divided into 100 scholarships, each worth 10 million VND, giving priority to students with especially difficult circumstances and the will to rise up. Each semester will be considered for 10 places. In particular, eligible students will continue to receive scholarships in the following semesters, until the entire scholarship program is completed.
Not stopping at giving, Hanoi University of Science and Technology will build a scholarship fund named "Teacher Bui Long Bien" - as a way of gratitude and also to spread the spirit of teachers to many generations later.
Another example that has also touched many people is Prof. Dr. Le Ngoc Thach, a guest lecturer at the University of Natural Sciences (VNU-HCM). In the middle of last year, when storm No. 3 caused heavy damage in the northern provinces, Mr. Thach donated 1 billion VND to people in flood-affected areas - the amount of money saved for many years from pensions, tuition and even writing books.
Mr. Thach shared: "I live alone, not spending much. The monthly pension is still enough to live on. When I knew my people were struggling to fight against natural disasters, I felt like I had to do something, no matter how small, as long as it was useful.
It is not just a material contribution. That is the whole heart of a teacher, who has always been attached to knowledge, to people and always chooses a way of sharing.
Beautiful stories like those of Mr. Bui Long Bien and Mr. Le Ngoc Thach are not only a valuable source of motivation for students, but also light up the belief in a humanistic learning society - where the spirit of "giving" to continue knowledge, to improve the steps of others is always present.
In an era where material things sometimes make people forget the simplest things, such examples become even more valuable. That is the spirit of lifelong learning, a profound lesson for anyone on the path of knowledge and compassion.
