Doan Hoang Hai, a 73-year-old resident of Ben Tre province, has recently achieved a remarkable milestone by earning a doctorate in Business Administration from Tra Vinh University. More than five years ago, he embarked on this academic journey as a research student.

Reflecting on his motivation, Hai shared, "The land of Tra Vinh sheltered me during the resistance war, and now it continues to be a place where I can pursue knowledge and contribute back to society."

As the oldest doctoral candidate at Tra Vinh University, Hai emphasizes that learning and self-improvement are lifelong pursuits. "Learning is not just for oneself but also to contribute to society and set an example for future generations," he said. Hai is proud that some of his children and grandchildren have followed in his footsteps, with some becoming master's degree holders and others pursuing doctoral studies.

Despite his age and the physical challenges that come with it, Hai persevered through the rigorous process of commuting to school, conducting research, and writing his dissertation. "The biggest challenge was my age and health, but with the support of my family and the dedicated guidance of my professors, I was able to complete my dissertation on time," he said.

Hai's dissertation, titled "Factors affecting human resource development in enterprises: The case of HCM City telecommunications," draws from his extensive experience in the telecommunications industry. Recognizing the opportunities and challenges in this field, Hai's research addresses how the industry can develop its workforce to adapt to the digital age.

"We are entering the era of Industry 4.0, with the country transitioning to a digital government and society. My research aims to provide insights and solutions for human resource development in the telecommunications sector," Hai explained.

Looking ahead, Hai is determined to continue his academic pursuits and contribute his knowledge to society. He is currently involved in publishing a book on the history of post and telecommunications in Can Tho City and plans to write about ethical standards for business leaders and managers. Additionally, Hai is eager to teach entrepreneurship and digital business courses at the university level.

Mr. Hai hails from Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province, and serves as a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ben Tre. A war veteran with a disability rating of 2/4, Hai has a rich history of service, having been stationed in Duyen Hai district (now Duyen Hai town, Tra Vinh province) over 50 years ago. With the support and protection of the local people, he fulfilled his duties assigned by the Radio Information Department of the Saigon-Gia Dinh Party Committee.

Hoai Thanh