"THIS JOURNEY BRINGS ME PLENTY OF WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES"
Despite many opportunities to work in an international environment, Dr. Le Thanh Long chose to return to his home country to work.
From a student to a young Associate Professor at VNUHCM-University of Technology
Associate Professor, Dr. Le Thanh Long (born in 1988, from Tinh Tho commune, Son Tinh district, Quang Ngai province), is currently a lecturer at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, VNUHCM-University of Technology. He was recently recognized as an Associate Professor at the age of 35, making him one of the youngest associate professors at the university.
"A long and memorable journey" - That's how Associate Professor Le Thanh Long describes his journey from being a student to becoming a lecturer at the very institution where he studied.
Professor Le Thanh Long (in black, in the middle) takes a commemorative photo with family and colleagues at the Ceremony of Honoring and Appointing Professors and Associate Professors in 2023, VNUHCM-University of Technology.
It is known that Professor Long was once a student majoring in Mechanical Engineering at VNUHCM-University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology). Precious experiences from his student days, under the guidance of dedicated and enthusiastic teachers, gradually ignited the flame of scientific research passion in the young lecturer.
"The first mark that nurtured my passion for scientific research was my undergraduate research project.
Facing challenges for the first time, self-exploring, researching, sometimes feeling discouraged because of the vast knowledge I hadn't yet acquired, not knowing how to solve problems... but thanks to the dedicated guidance and timely encouragement of my supervisor at that time, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Van Nghin, who helped me complete my undergraduate research project," Associate Professor Le Thanh Long confided to the reporters of the Vietnam Education Online Magazine.
From here, his interest in scientific research began to flourish in the young student. In 2011, after graduating with honors and winning a silver medal for his cohort, Long applied for a scholarship to pursue his postgraduate studies at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University (NCU), Taiwan.
After completing his Ph.D. in 2016, Long continued to spend some time doing postdoctoral research at NCU to gain more research experience.
In early 2017, the young Ph.D. made the decision to return to his homeland and chose the university that had been closely associated with him since his student days to work - continuing his academic path as a university lecturer.
Sharing his decision to return to his country, the young lecturer said that overcoming difficulties and challenges in research only fueled his passion for scientific research even more; with the hope that his research works would address urgent societal issues and have high practical applicability.
"I decided to become a university lecturer because the university environment will help me continue to pursue my passion for scientific research. Additionally, I can impart knowledge, inspire research passion in my students, and in the future, the younger generation will contribute to the country's development," Long said.
Enthusiastic, dedicated spirit in every role
Long's current main research directions focus on the application of fluid dynamics in the field of fluid mechanics and autonomous vehicles; Designing and manufacturing Mechanical devices, automation, robots with applications of AI, IoT technology.
"My research directions include both fundamental and applied research. I maintain fundamental research to be able to connect, exchange academic knowledge with international colleagues, and increase the applicability in practice. As a result, there have been publications in reputable international journals.
In addition, I am also very interested in applied research because it can be immediately applied to solve urgent social problems," Associate Professor Le Thanh Long further shared.
The young associate professor believes that both fundamental research and applied research play important roles. The difference is that fundamental research has a delay and requires time to be applied in practice.
"Fundamental research is an investment for the future, contributing to enhancing the scientific and technological position of a country. Meanwhile, applied research can apply research results immediately to serve the interests of people and society. Therefore, the majority of people in society will need more applied research," Associate Professor Le Thanh Long emphasized.
Regarding his own research, Long said that he is currently maintaining both research activities, with applied research activities accounting for a larger proportion. Associate Professor Le Thanh Long and his research team are currently focusing on developing Mechanical - Automation devices, robots with applications of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), digital transformation... to help solve problems in various fields such as agriculture, industry, healthcare, smart cities, and practical production...
In reality, over time, the young Associate Professor from Quang Ngai and his colleagues have successfully manufactured and implemented many innovative initiatives, greatly assisting the community, such as the Multi-functional disinfection spray chamber, IoT Check-in system at VNUHCM-University of Technology, Negative pressure room, Smart water purifier...
Speaking about his most cherished product, Associate Professor Le Thanh Long said that it is the Negative pressure room. This is a product of the project "Research on designing and manufacturing isolation cushion modules, automatic surface disinfection applied in field hospitals," approved by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology in 2020.
According to Long, the product is part of the comprehensive solution of the research team used for isolating and treating Covid-19 patients. The young lecturer and his research team conducted this project during the period when the country was implementing social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Although social distancing affected the research process of the team, there were times when members couldn't travel, had to have online meetings... but after all, the members of the research team made efforts to research, collaborate with each other to complete the Negative pressure room product, which was accepted by the Acceptance Council in 2023.
The product has practical significance in contributing to pandemic prevention and control, protecting health, and raising community awareness," the young Associate Professor shared his pride in his research product and his colleagues.
In addition to his role as a lecturer and researcher, Associate Professor Le Thanh Long also participates in youth union activities as the Secretary of the Mechanical Engineering Youth Union, a member of the Executive Committee of the University Youth Union of University of Technology from 2017 - 2022, a Member of the Vietnam Youth Union Executive Committee of District 10 for the 2019-2024 term, Head of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Club at University of Technology...
The lecturer shared that youth union activities help him become more dynamic and proactive. Alongside students and lecturers in social activities, academic competitions, entrepreneurship-related activities, innovation help Long have the opportunity to exchange, collaborate, enhance critical thinking, and have many new ideas to serve scientific research.
"We accompany each other, make contributions to the university and society," Long confided with a spirit full of enthusiasm.
With his dedicated activities in many roles like that, Associate Professor Le Thanh Long expresses his hope to students, youth, and young officials, always demonstrating enthusiasm, passion, innovation, daring to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility to make practical contributions to the country's development.
In his capacity as a young Associate Professor at VNUHCM-University of Technology, Long affirmed that he will continue to strive, make more contributions in the future, deserving the expectations of the university and society.
"I will continue to maintain and develop my research directions, expand strong research groups, enhance international cooperation to address urgent social issues, and enhance the reputation and position of Vietnam internationally," the young Associate Professor expressed.
Source: Education Newspaper
Original article: https://giaoduc.net.vn/pgs-ts-le-thanh-long-con-duong-dang-di-cho-toi-nhieu-trai-nghiem-tuyet-voi-post240471.gd
