'Vietnamese students need to think internationally'

That is the advice of Mr. Antonius Albert Ignatius Aanink, a Dutch expert who has been associated with the semiconductor clean room, International Training Institute for Materials Science (ITIMS), Hanoi University of Science and Technology for more than 20 years.

Mr. Antonius Albert Ignatius Aanink, people often call him by his affectionate name - Tom Aanink.

Mr. Tom Aanink.

Mr. Tom Aanink's job is to guide PhD students and support scientists working in semiconductor clean rooms. With an important position and deep expertise, he has worked and witnessed the success of many scientists and entrepreneurs who have grown up from the MESA+ and NANOCENTER centers at the University of Twente (Netherlands).

With over 30 years of working in the Netherlands, experiencing many projects on IC technology, microelectronics and semiconductors, he has been associated with the University of Technology for over 20 years.

At the University of Twente, he was the liaison, supporting delegations from Vietnam to work, learn and promote scientific and technological cooperation.

Tom Aanink is also a bridge to bring Dutch students to intern, study and learn about Vietnamese culture. A typical example is the 2008 Ngoi Sang project (a project of the Dutch Government) with nearly 30 students from the University of Twente who came to Vietnam for an internship for 3 weeks.

With that much time, he has devoted much of his passion and accumulated experience to impart to Vietnamese students, so that they can understand and have full knowledge for their research. Recently, he was awarded the Medal for Education by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training.

When did you first come to Vietnam? Was it a tourist trip or a trip within the framework of Dutch-Vietnamese cooperation?

Tom Aanink: I first came to Vietnam in 1996 within the framework of cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the Dutch Government. At that time, the ITIMS building was under construction, not only me, but many Dutch scientists and engineers from Twente and Amsterdam also came with Vietnamese colleagues to complete the project.

I personally help Vietnamese people operate and maintain clean rooms as well as support the construction of technological processes for research.

For his contributions, Tom was awarded the Medal for Education by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training.

CWe know that you not only came to Vietnam to support lecturers and students here but also to support many Vietnamese students at the University of Twente. What is the reason for you to volunteer to do that?

Tom Aanink: I have to tell you clearly that I support all PhD students at the University of Twente in their research. But I also have to admit that I feel a warm feeling when working with Vietnamese students.

It has been 21 years since I came to work here, more or less, I have become a member of the ITIMS family, Bách Khoa. There are quite a few students who come to work in the Netherlands, and I am very proud that they have done a very good job in my country. I am also proud that I have contributed a small part to the success of the project.

What makes you so attached to Vietnam in general and Hanoi University of Science and Technology students in particular?

First of all, I must mention the welcome that Vietnamese students and ITIMS staff gave me. I am very grateful.

I had the opportunity to come to Bach Khoa for many years to work on the project with ITIMS, witnessing the great changes in science and technology of the leading technical university over the past 20 years is also a motivation for me.

Vietnam is a very beautiful country, I had the opportunity to explore the culture of a "new" country, especially in the first years I came to a far away country like Vietnam. In the Netherlands, not many people have such privileges and opportunities.

As time went by, I felt it was my responsibility to maintain the relationship with Bách Khoa, of course this relationship came from both sides. Gradually, I became a friend and a member of the ITIMS family. It was wonderful to return to the Bách Khoa "family" every year.

What advice do you have for students when participating in studying and scientific research?

Vietnamese students are very studious. I have noticed that they work hard and responsibly. This is wonderful! It is important that you think internationally and become global citizens in the scientific community.

It is very important to improve your English speaking skills. You can sing karaoke in English. Don’t be shy because no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes.

Tom feels warm working with Vietnamese students.

How do you feel when you getMinistry of Education and TrainingVietnam honored him for his contribution to the education cause in this country?

Tom Aanink: I really didn't expect that. Of course, I'm very happy to receive this award. You know, over the decades I've been training Vietnamese people, but over the decades I've also learned a lot from Vietnamese people.

The partnership is mutual. This award from the Vietnamese people is very meaningful and valuable to me.

Best regardsthank you very much!

Associate Professor Nguyen Van Quy - Deputy Head of Science and Technology Department: “Tom has always been an enthusiastic, dedicated and serious person at work. He gets along well with all his colleagues at ITIMS Institute and always helps everyone when needed.

I still remember the years 2001-2002, when spare parts and equipment for research in Vietnam were very scarce, even non-existent. Every time Tom went on a business trip to Vietnam, in his luggage to Vietnam was a large suitcase with a jumble of spare parts that he had found in the Netherlands to bring over to replace the equipment at the ITIMS Institute.

Thanks to him, the equipment of ITIMS Institute has been well maintained after more than 20 years. Thanks to that, ITIMS Institute has had excellent scientific research works and become a leading research institute in the field of nanomaterials.

In daily life, he is very sociable and friendly with everyone. When mentioning Tom, all the families of the ITIMS staff know and love him very much. Every time he comes to Vietnam, the families welcome him and invite him home like a family member who has just returned from a business trip. In our minds, Tom is always a member of the ITIMS Institute.

Dr. Nguyen Van Toan - ITIMS Institute: “I have been working with Mr. Tom Aanink since I came to ITIMS. The first impression when I met him was that he was a tall man (a head taller than me), but very approachable. English is a barrier for Vietnamese people, so he tried to speak very slowly, using all kinds of languages ​​to make everyone understand.

He helped me and everyone a lot in our work. Together with the Institute's Board of Directors, I, Mr. Hong, Mr. Chinh were the technicians sent to the Netherlands to study and improve our knowledge with the help of Tom Aanink and two other Dutch technicians. During our time there, the living environment changed, everything was confusing, but Tom and his friends helped us a lot.

I feel that the Netherlands is Tom's birthplace, and Vietnam is like his second home to Tom. That home has Tom and us - the staff of ITIMS Institute. And we know that Tom has contributed a lot of effort and emotion to build that home."