Congratulations to the Graduating Elite!

2023-10-26 11:02:14

On the morning of 20th October, 2023, Assoc. Prof. PhD. Vũ Hải Quân, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) Chancellor, delivered a significant message during the Graduation Ceremony of the School of Medicine. In his speech, he emphasised the importance of nurturing the mind, fostering empathy, and instilling the lifelong commitment to self-study in newly graduated doctors and pharmacists. Furthermore, he expressed his high hopes and outlined the future development orientations for the School of Medicine, aspiring for it to transform into a distinguished University of Health Sciences in near future.

VNU-HCM Newsletter respectfully presents a condensed summary of this impactful address to our esteemed readers.

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Vũ Hải Quân – VNU-HCM Chancellor – Guest speaker, speaking at the Graduation Ceremony of the School of Medicine, VNUHCM.

I witness glowing countenances, joyful grins, and tears of pride! An abundance of emotions fills this special graduation ceremony. From this moment forward, you bear the title of doctors and pharmacists — a momentous milestone. A fresh expedition, brimming with novel trials, prospects, and choices! Much like the decision you made five to six years ago, when you opted to embark on a medical journey, selecting the School of Medicine – VNUHCM. I firmly believe that was an imperative and well-founded choice.

The essence of being a doctor: Empathy, Sensibility, and Continuous Learning

In the realm of healthcare, just like in education, the word “Tâm” resonates profoundly. Undoubtedly, every profession requires individuals of unwavering ethics. Even The Late President recognised the resemblance between doctors and affectionate mothers. During my online exploration, I came across the remarkable figure of Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Lê Hữu Trác (1720-1791), a revered physician and cultural icon of our nation. He authored the renowned book “Lãn Ông Tâm Lĩnh” or “Hải Thượng y tông Tâm Lĩnh“. Lê Hữu Trác believed that a comprehensive understanding of Confucian theory is essential for anyone studying Oriental Medicine. With a solid grasp of Confucian principles, the pursuit of medical knowledge becomes more accessible.

Lê Hữu Trác imparted valuable advice: (1) It is incumbent upon filial children and virtuous spouses to extend special care and assistance to the impoverished, orphaned, widowed, and those afflicted with rare illnesses. Only through such acts of kindness can one be deemed truly humane. (2) Following the successful treatment of an ailment, refraining from seeking gifts is crucial. The medical profession is noble, and it is our duty to preserve its sanctity.

The second word that naturally follows is “Cảm” — the ability to sympathise and connect with patients on a profound level. A simple glance, a warm smile, a gentle handshake, or a word of encouragement can often have a more profound impact than any medication prescribed. It reminds me of a poignant quote by Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh: “Understanding another person’s pain is the greatest gift you can give them. Understanding is another name for love. If you cannot understand, then you cannot love.”

In English, we encounter two distinct terms — cure and healing. Similarly, Vietnamese possesses the words “chữa trị” and “điều trị“. Cure involves diagnosing ailments and employing medications to combat pathogens, eradicate disease-causing viruses, and restore physical health. However, healing encompasses a broader scope. It entails not only mending the body but also revitalising the spirit, enhancing the overall quality of life, even in instances where a complete physical cure may not be attainable. And at the heart of healing lies empathy—the ability to truly connect with the patient!

The Late President once wrote, “The physician not only has the duty to cure diseases but also to support the spirit of sick people.” It becomes evident that in order to achieve comprehensive healing, we must delve beyond external wounds and acknowledge emotional and spiritual aspects. By incorporating these elements into our medical practice, we enhance the quality of diagnosis and treatment. We must learn to sympathise, understand, and love the sick as if they were our own brothers and sisters, embracing their pain as our own. Only by wholeheartedly serving the people can we foster an environment of genuine care and compassion.

The professionalism of medical doctors is intricately linked to their education in moral values, attitudes, and behavior, starting from an early age. It is crucial to instill these qualities from the outset, as altering ingrained habits becomes exceedingly challenging over time.

The third word that comes to mind is “Học” — the perpetual pursuit of knowledge to enhance qualifications, particularly in the context of the remarkable advancements in science, technology, and artificial intelligence. Many wonder: Will pharmacists and doctors be replaced by AI and Chat GPT in the future? AI exhibits superior abilities in analysing and diagnosing diseases from images, and it possesses the potential to support research and the discovery of new drugs, among other remarkable achievements. Thus, incorporating new technologies into treatment and diagnosis is an indispensable requirement.

Sustaining the habit of self-study and lifelong learning poses a significant challenge. As I mentioned earlier, each day offers us a mere 24 hours to allocate between family, work, personal well-being, and community involvement. The only way to overcome this challenge is through change—a transformation of our habits. We must awaken a little earlier instead of indulging in extended slumber. Let us choose to read a few more books instead of spending excessive time on social networks. And embrace other positive habits.

Forging new frontiers: Interdisciplinary training and Global integration

VNU-HCM stands as a distinguished multi-disciplinary and multi-field university system, driven by a vision to emerge as a leading research university in Asia — a hub for talent cultivation and the dissemination of Vietnamese knowledge and culture. VNU-HCM missions are: (1) Train and nurture talents with comprehensive knowledge, imbued with social responsibility, leadership capabilities, and an entrepreneurial mindset; (2) Research, develop, apply science and technology, and innovate to address national, regional, and global challenges; (3) Pilot new innovative approaches and policies in education; (4) Contribute to sustainable economic development, promoting social progress, and enrich the treasury of human knowledge and Vietnamese culture. And the core values that VNUHCM aims to are: (1) Commit to excellence, pioneering spirit, and integrity in training and research; (2) foster strong connections with the community and actively serving society

Health sciences is a broad term, encompassing fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, toxicology, vision, and biomedical technology. Each of these areas plays a crucial role in our ongoing endeavors to develop and evaluate treatments, as well as formulate new strategies to address the complexities of human health.

As I understand, there are 2 simple meanings: (1) Curative science, which encompasses the practice of diagnosing, treating, preventing diseases, and promoting overall health. (2) Science of medicinal herbs, drugs, and active ingredients used to treat diseases and enhance well-being. Modern medicine has undeniably demonstrated its efficacy in treating infectious diseases and addressing medical emergencies, providing invaluable assistance to patients in need.

The overarching objective of medicine remains the control and alleviation of diseases, or put simply, the prevention and cure of ailments. Today, a significant challenge within the realm of medical science is to discover solutions that extend the quality of life for patients grappling with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, as well as emerging infectious diseases. Consequently, there is a growing focus on research and development, particularly in the realm of vaccine creation, to prevent such diseases. Furthermore, the role of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI) aids in disease diagnosis, treatment, drug research, and preparation, revolutionising the field of medicine.

It is imperative that medical and pharmaceutical training programmes expand to meet new requirements and tackle emerging challenges in human health. In addition to comprehensive classes on clinical medicine and pharmacy, as well as practical experience in hospital settings, the training curriculum must encompass a broader range of related subjects such as chemistry, biology, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). These additional areas of study will equip necessary tools to meet new challenges and leverage emerging technologies in the field of healthcare.

Nearly 700 years ago, Herbalist Tuệ Tĩnh wisely stated, “Southern Medicine for Southern People.” This statement implies the importance of Vietnamese mastery in adopting new diagnostic and treatment technologies, as well as the ability to develop and prepare innovative drugs. This sentiment resonates strongly with the vision and development strategy of VNUHCM for the period 2012-2030, with a far-reaching vision extending to 2045. (1) Focus on research, development, and manufacturing of experimental diagnostic and treatment equipment, advanced disease treatment systems, and regenerative medicine. It also emphasizes combating drug resistance and exploring the potential of endemic herbs for the development of biopharmaceuticals, functional foods, and new disease prevention methods; (2) Research, develop, and apply in various fields, including biomedical equipment engineering, tissue engineering, biosensors, biomedical data processing, biological nanotechnology, biomedical materials, and pharmaceutical technology and engineering.

It is crucial for the School of Medicine and soon the University of Health Sciences to pioneer in innovating their training programmes with an interdisciplinary approach. This interdisciplinary approach should encompass various fields of knowledge and focus on research to provide solutions for the health sector.

  • Continue promoting training activities, scientific research, policy advice, and the provision of medical examination and treatment services to the public. Actively contribute to addressing the challenges faced by the health sector in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution;
  • Emphasise on innovating the medical human resources training programme towards an interdisciplinary and internationally integrated approach. The School of Medicine has already taken steps by implementing an integrated medical programme with the guidance and support of leading medical schools worldwide and leading experts in medical personnel training in the Southern provinces. The Improving Access, Curriculum and Teaching in Medical education and Emerging Diseases project with The Partnership for Health Advancement in Vietnam (IMPACT MED – HAIVN) and the pursuit of accreditation according to AUN-QA standards further solidify this commitment. These endeavors provide a crucial foundation for the School of Medicine to refine other training programmes in an interdisciplinary and integrated manner, leveraging the strengths of VNU-HCM in natural sciences, technology, humanities, economics, and law;
  • Undertake practical activities to promote medical human resource training in the Southern provinces. This initiative aims to address the staffing difficulties faced by these regions. Additionally, it is crucial to strengthen cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Health to enhance the quality of health workforce training;
  • Close collaborate with the Ho Chi Minh City health sector is essential in effectively implementing the project to develop the city into a healthcare center of the ASEAN region. Define the roles of VNU-HCM and the University of Health Sciences within the Thu Duc Medical Cluster;
  • Creating medical models on campus that extend to the community and society is another important endeavor. Drawing on existing partnerships with AUN – Health Promotion Network, the School of Medicine should continue to promote health promotion activities. The goal is to establish the first Health University model in Vietnam and replicate it in other universities and residential communities. These efforts will contribute to building a healthy, wholesome, and happy society.

I firmly believe that through the combined efforts of the School of Medicine, the unwavering support of competent authorities, localities, partner institutions, development partners, and the community, our School of Medicine will continue to excel in fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to us by VNU-HCM and society at large.

Furthermore, VNU-HCM, along with its member universities and affiliated units, will continue to collaborate and provide support to the Faculty of Medicine, ensuring its continuous growth and development.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly graduated doctors and pharmacists! Your hard work and dedication have led to this remarkable achievement. I would also like to express my gratitude to the teachers for their unwavering support, guidance, and commitment to nurturing and shaping the students to reach the accomplishments they celebrate today. I am immensely grateful to parents for choosing VNU-HCM as the educational institution for your children.

ASSOC. PROF. PHD. VŨ HẢI QUÂN, VNUHCM CHANCELLOR

(Source: VNUHCM Website, translated by Foreign Languages Division)

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School of Medicine – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City