Prof Le Ngoc Thach, a former lecturer in the Faculty of Chemistry at the HCM City University of Natural Sciences under the HCMC National University, taught many generations of chemistry majors at southern universities.

In addition to giving lectures and conducting research, he authored numerous textbooks and reference books. The professor is retired, but continues working as a visiting lecturer at university.

Thach studied at Petrus Ky School (currently Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted in HCM City). After graduation, in 1976, he studied chemistry at the University of Sciences (now the HCM City University of Natural Sciences).

Three years later, he was retained by the faculty and began working as an assistant to lecturers, and then became an official lecturer.

Phung Quan, MA, head of administrative and personnel division at the University of Natural Sciences, said Thach is loved by many generations of chemistry students for his expertise and approachable, humble demeanor.

In 2017, Thach, together with the university, founded Le Van Thoi Award for chemistry students with outstanding research and theses, and contributed VND1.5 billion to the fund. 

In 2023, he contributed VND 500 million more. The Le Van Thoi Award is given for excellent graduation theses, master’s theses, and doctoral dissertations with amounts ranging from VND30-50 million. 

Additionally, in 2021, Thach sponsored one billion dong for the HCM City Chemistry Society to establish the Le Van Thoi Award for Green Chemistry reserved for sustainable development research.

The award is given to projects related to Green Chemistry. These could be works or scientific research in waste and wastewater treatment, pollution reduction, process improvement, fuel saving, chemical recycling, adhered to Green Chemistry and green engineering principles.

According to Quan, Thach began his philanthropy when he was at high school by contributing to house repairs and road building, and supporting orphanages. Later, when he could earn money from work, he contributed more through various ways.

In addition to money, Thach has donated thousands of chemistry books and materials to the library of HCM City National University. He also volunteers at a nearby charity food outlet and the Ben San leprosy camp in Binh Duong. Many students receive money from him to cover daily expenses and study.

Most recently, when the northern part of Vietnam was hit by floods from Typhoon Yagi, Thach withdrew from his savings and donated one billion dong to aid the flood victims. This amount was originally intended for his old age.

Associate Prof Doan Van Dien, former Rector of HCM City University of Agriculture and Forestry, is also well known among students as the founder of a scholarship fund for needy students, where he contributed VND2 billion.

Dien said that 20 years ago, he began a plan to establish a scholarship fund to support needy and studious students. He shared this idea with his wife and received her support.

"I can't do everything to support students, but I can do something to encourage students to become useful people in society and help build and develop the country," he said.

The 89-year-old educator said initially he thought of reserving an amount of money to give to the HCM City University of Agriculture and Forestry to award poor students. However, he later worried that after his passing, his children might not continue his work. Therefore, he decided to set aside VND2 billion to establish a scholarship fund in his name.

This amount of money is entrusted entirely to the HCMC University of Agriculture and Forestry  to award needy students annually, based on the standards he and the university agreed upon when establishing the fund.

"This is the most precious reward of my life as I can contribute to future generations of students," Dien said. He also hopes that part of the scholarship fund will be given to teachers, who make significant contributions to educating students.

Regarding the source of the money Dien said it comes from his ‘sweat and labor’. After retiring from the public school, he served as the principal of a private school, which helped increase his finances.

He said that he receives only VND6 million in retirement pension each month, but he can manage to live well with the modest amount and is happy as he can help students who need assistance.

Thuy Nga