Emotional master's thesis defense session 'without' author in Nghe An

Unfinished journey

On August 11, at Vinh University, a special master's thesis defense took place. It was the thesis defense of student Nguyen Tien Thang - majoring in Theory and Methodology of Teaching Mathematics, course 25. The special thing about the master's thesis defense was that the author of the topic was given special permission by the Thesis Evaluation Council to report the topic "from afar..."!

Student Nguyen Tien Thang's thesis defense was given the special privilege of "remote reporting".

Student Thang (42 years old), is a Math teacher at Thanh Chuong 1 High School, Thanh Chuong District. He was admitted and enrolled in the 25th Master's course, majoring in Math Theory and Teaching Methods, at Vinh University.

After 2 years of completing the study and research program on the topic "Training some elements of mathematical thinking for high school students through teaching the topic of perpendicular relations in spatial geometry" guided by Dr. Nguyen Van Thuan, the school's Training Council decided to allow the student to defend his master's thesis.

But when all the procedures were completed, just waiting for the defense day, Mr. Thang unfortunately passed away.

“That day was August 2. Thang rode his motorbike from home to Vinh University to complete the final procedures before defending his master's thesis. But just 15 minutes after arriving home, he suffered a stroke, and his family didn't even have time to take him to the hospital,” said Mr. Le Xuan Huong - Principal of Thanh Chuong 1 High School, adding that at school, Mr. Thang was a prestigious, dedicated teacher, trusted by many parents and students.

Meanwhile, 10 days after the sudden death of Mr. Thang, the atmosphere of mourning still enveloped the small house of the ill-fated male teacher in Thanh Linh commune (Thanh Chuong). Before his death, he was the pillar of the family. Mr. Thang and his wife had 2 children, the youngest of whom was not yet 5 years old, standing bewildered in front of his father's altar.

After graduating from university, his wife was hired to teach on a contract at an elementary school in Thanh Chuong. However, about 3 years ago, due to a surplus of teachers, she lost her job. Meanwhile, the couple still had to live with their elderly parents. Since then, the large family of 6 had to rely on Mr. Thang's meager salary as a teacher.

Teacher Thang on a birthday party with his students.

On the day of the teacher’s funeral, hundreds of former students from many generations were present to pay their respects. The grave was covered with white wreaths from students. “On the day of the funeral, many students who lived far away could not return but still asked their parents to come to see them off,” said teacher Le Xuan Huong.

Just less than 2 months ago, Mr. Thang, like many others, could not hold back his tears at the unfinished work of his students. That day, only 1 day before the National High School Exam, Nguyen Quang Thong, a student under Mr. Thang's care, tragically drowned.

Despite his difficult family circumstances, Mr. Thang always tries his best to complete his teaching duties at school as well as his graduate studies. “He is a very serious student. In a class of 26 students, Thang is the class monitor and is extremely diligent,” said Dr. Nguyen Van Thuan, Mr. Thang’s instructor.

"Remote reporting"

“The news of Thang’s passing made us very sad, it was really unfinished... As the head of the major, I discussed with the Graduate Department and asked for permission from the Board of Directors of Vinh University to have a mechanism for student Nguyen Tien Thang to have special privileges to defend his master’s thesis,” Dr. Pham Xuan Chung - Chairman of the Thesis Council told a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper.

The proposal of the professional representative was received and considered by the Board of Directors of Vinh University, after which the school's Training Council decided to allow student Nguyen Tien Thang to defend his master's thesis "remotely".

Less than 2 months ago, a student of Mr. Thang's class also had to leave school after drowning just 1 day before the high school exam.

“I think that in the graduation examinations of high school and university levels, there are also special cases. Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Tien Thang has completed his preparations, fully according to regulations, his thesis has been sent to the members of the Council, just waiting for the defense date. Therefore, I hope and have a proposal for this student to complete his master's program, recognizing the achievements that Mr. Thang has tried to achieve in the past 2 years,” Dr. Chung added.

On August 11, the 25th Master's Thesis Evaluation Council, consisting of 5 members, chaired by Dr. Pham Xuan Chung - Principal of Vinh University High School for the Gifted, evaluated the thesis of student Nguyen Tien Thang.

The topic that Mr. Thang diligently pursued during 2 years of graduate school.

Normally, each graduate student defending their master's thesis will have a separate council. But for student Thang, there was a special convocation session, all the councils were present. Along with that were representatives of Vinh University's leadership, the Board of Directors and members of the Math Department, Thanh Chuong 1 High School, family and other colleagues of Mr. Thang.

The defense session was only absent from the student - the person who directly reported the thesis, but the order was still complete as usual, with comments and suggestions for the topic. "Everyone in that special defense session was silent and choked up. I don't know how to describe my feelings, but everyone was moved. I hope this is a small spiritual encouragement for the family of student Nguyen Tien Thang", said Dr. Pham Xuan Chung.

With high scientific significance and practical value, the topic "Training some elements of mathematical thinking for high school students through teaching the topic of perpendicular relations in spatial geometry" by student Nguyen Tien Thang has fully met the requirements of a master's thesis, was approved by the Thesis Evaluation Council and agreed to propose Vinh University to grant a Master's degree in educational science to the student. After completing the necessary procedures, representatives of Vinh University and the Institute of Natural Pedagogy will come to the house and award the Master's degree to the family and relatives of student Nguyen Tien Thang.

Tien Hung - Hoang Nam