Associate Professor of History Phan Van Ban: A talented scholar of Nghe An

(Baonghean) - For generations of students, graduate students, researchers as well as historical researchers in Nghe An and across the country, Associate Professor Phan Van Ban is a special person, a leading historian, a scholar of Nghe An who has made many contributions to his homeland. The passing of Associate Professor Phan Van Ban truly leaves a void and many regrets.

Associate Professor Phan Van Ban was born in 1934 into a famous Confucian family in the "land of learning" of Nghe An - Xuan Tieu village, Hop Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district. His father was a veteran revolutionary cadre and teacher at the French-Vietnamese Yen Thanh Primary School.

After graduating from the Military Academy, Phan Van Ban became a first-year student at the History Department of Hanoi University. Graduating with honors, fluent in many foreign languages ​​and demonstrating his keen ability in research, the young bachelor from Nghe An, Phan Van Ban, was retained as a lecturer at the school.

Associate Professor Phan Van Ban, who has made many contributions to the history of Vietnam and Nghe An.

In 1960, following the call of his homeland, young teacher Phan Van Ban returned to work at Vinh Pedagogical University with the task of researching, teaching History and preparing for the establishment of the first History Department in Nghe An. During the waiting period, he taught World History to the Literature - History Department, then taught Ancient and Medieval Vietnamese History to the Literature Department.

During this difficult period, teacher Phan Van Ban tried to overcome difficulties, did a good job in teaching; improved and perfected his foreign language skills in French, English, Russian, Portuguese, and together with teachers Pham Huy Phuong and Hoang Van Lan, prepared the first foundation steps to establish the History Department in 1968.

In 1969, when the Faculty of History opened its first course, he was appointed as Vice Dean in charge of teaching and scientific research. In 1977, he was appointed as Dean of the Faculty of History until 1990. During his time working at Vinh University of Education, he was passionate about researching modern and contemporary world history and international relations, along with many issues related to Vietnamese history.

In 1984, he was awarded the title of Associate Professor of History by the State. During this time, Associate Professor Phan Van Ban was invited by the former Soviet Union and Angola to be an expert, both to conduct scientific research and to help the host country with a number of issues related to the field of history.

With his extensive knowledge and engaging teaching methods, Professor Phan Van Ban has left a deep and unforgettable impression on generations of staff and students from Vinh University as well as the society. With his profound ability, he always suggests new research directions for students and graduate students, encourages exploration and creativity, and is the one who inspires passion for many generations of students.

As a scholar of Nghe An, Associate Professor Phan Van Ban is also famous for his integrity, uprightness, dedication to science and education, love for students, and wholehearted support for colleagues. After his retirement in 1990, he had time to focus on research and teaching, especially graduate training. He retired in 2000, but continued to work for the History Department for another 12 years.

During nearly 50 years of research and teaching, while working as a civil servant as well as after retirement, he has published many valuable scientific works, making his mark in the research community and bringing many new and profound things to generations of researchers, students and pupils. He is the one who directly compiled the University of History Education program, Master of Vietnamese History, Master of World History, participated in giving comments on the World History PhD training program and taught dozens of classes of students and postgraduates.

In 2013, when the Associate Professor turned 80 years old, the Board of Directors of the History Department and generations of students collected and selected the scientific works he had published to publish a book titled: "Phan Van Ban - A historical journey".

Although he has done in-depth research on world history and international relations, Associate Professor Phan Van Ban still has a deep affection for his homeland Nghe An. He is the head of the project "Nghe An People in History" - a work that has had a great influence on the development of the province's social sciences. Associate Professor Phan Van Ban is also the Honorary President of the Nghe An Provincial Historical Association.

In recent years, his health has declined, but he has continued to contribute to the cause of education and training. After 6 months of fighting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, on October 24, Associate Professor Phan Van Ban passed away forever. His passing is an endless pain and loss for his family, friends, relatives and generations of students.

Nguyen Khoa