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| Mr. Nguyen Phu Tho - Principal of Quoc Hoc - Hue High School for the Gifted |
With a proud 130-year history, Quoc Hoc - Hue has been associated with many prominent figures in the nation's history. Looking back on this journey, what are the most outstanding values that have shaped the school's reputation and remain a source of pride today?
In my view, the most remarkable achievements in Quoc Hoc - Hue's 130-year history are the quality of its education and the generations of students who have helped establish the school's reputation.
From its early years, Quoc Hoc produced students who went on to become exceptional figures and make major contributions to the country, including President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, Party General Secretary Le Duan and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong. Many generations of alumni have also achieved distinction in science, research, education, literature, arts and other fields. These individuals laid the foundations of the school's traditions and established its prestige and standing throughout its development.
Building on this legacy, Quoc Hoc students have continued to distinguish themselves in national and international academic competitions. Following the successes of students such as Le Ba Khanh Trinh, Ho Le Dung and Nguyen Huu Luong, the school has now had students winning international awards in all five subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry, informatics and biology.
What matters most is not simply the medals students earn, but also their abilities and character after they leave school. Many go on to excel in their studies and research at universities, earning recognition from lecturers and scientists. Wherever they study or work, and whatever positions they hold, generations of Quoc Hoc alumni remain conscious of their responsibility to preserve the character, honor and traditions associated with being a ‘Quoc Hoc student’. It is this combination of intellectual ability and personal integrity, academic achievement and a commitment to upholding the honor of the ‘Quoc Hoc student’ that gives the school its distinctive identity.
The school's 130-year tradition is both a source of pride and a responsibility for future generations. What is the school doing to turn these values into a driving force for development?
Being able to teach and study at a school with 130 years of tradition is a source of pride, but it also places a significant responsibility on every teacher and student. This responsibility involves not only preserving past achievements but also continuing to create new values.
Recognizing this, our teaching staff proactively learn, explore new approaches, innovate and continually improve their professional knowledge and teaching skills. With support and favorable conditions provided by city leaders and the school, every teacher understands their responsibility to improve educational quality and nurture talent for the local community and the country. For students, pride in their school must translate into self-discipline, the aspiration to excel and tangible achievements in their studies and personal development.
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| The reading culture festival held in celebration of the 130th anniversary of Quoc Hoc - Hue High School for the Gifted. |
As one of Vietnam's long-established specialized high schools, Quoc Hoc - Hue is expected to continue playing a pioneering role in advanced education for gifted students. What plans does the school have to improve its training of academically outstanding students and strengthen its position among specialized high schools?
First and foremost, we regard the quality of teachers responsible for specialized subjects as a key factor. They must have strong subject expertise while continually pursuing independent learning, updating their knowledge and innovating their teaching methods to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of gifted education. This is essential for strengthening the school's internal capabilities and laying the foundation for its long-term development.
Alongside making the most of our own strengths, the school will continue to maximize the effectiveness of the city's mechanisms and policies supporting advanced education; proactively advise on improving these policies to better meet current needs while mobilizing additional resources through social contributions and partnerships.
Another priority is expanding cooperation with higher education institutions, including universities in Hue, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. Such partnerships will give students opportunities to explore advanced knowledge and learn from lecturers and scientists, particularly in scientific research and experimental disciplines.
Our goal is to nurture academically outstanding students in a substantive and sustained manner, not merely to achieve high scores in competitions, but to establish a strong foundation for their long-term talent development.
Early identification of gifted students and the development of a talent pipeline are essential to sustainable talent development. How will the school approach this work?
This is an issue we are constantly concerned about, because identifying and developing gifted students cannot be accomplished overnight. It requires early, continuous and long-term efforts. We are therefore strengthening connections with lower secondary schools across the city to identify students with strong aptitude and potential, laying the groundwork for high school admissions and the development of academically outstanding students.
To mark its 130th anniversary, the school is organizing a seminar titled ‘Connecting Advanced Education and Developing Talent’ to seek more effective solutions for identifying, enrolling and nurturing potential students. In addition, we place particular emphasis on developing students' independent learning abilities, creative thinking and scientific research skills, while creating opportunities for them to access more advanced academic environments.
In the digital age, how will Quoc Hoc - Hue develop knowledge and talent while preserving traditional values such as ‘respecting manners before pursuing knowledge’ and ‘respecting teachers and valuing learning,’ and building a humane and happy educational environment?
The traditional values cultivated over 130 years are a precious asset of Quoc Hoc - Hue. Therefore, alongside imparting knowledge and developing talent, we consistently emphasize character education, a sense of responsibility and the aspiration to contribute to society.
We hope that when students leave the school, they will carry with them not only knowledge but also the spirit of Hue and the distinctive character of a 'Quoc Hoc student', understanding how to live responsibly and make meaningful contributions to society.
Preserving tradition does not mean staying away from the progress of the times. The school places emphasis on equipping students with knowledge, particularly in technology and artificial intelligence, while also developing independent thinking, critical reasoning, teamwork and foreign-language proficiency. Our goal is to educate generations of students who retain the distinctive identity of Quoc Hoc while remaining dynamic, creative and capable of integrating into the wider world, with a strong desire to serve the country. This is also how the school's traditional values can continue to flourish as it embarks on a new phase of development.