Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, rector of the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy under Hue University in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, has been awarded the title of the Knight of the National Order of Merit of France for his contributions to the Francophone medicine community in the province as well as the France-Vietnam relations.

Huy told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he was touched and proud to receive the valuable order of merit.

"I am proud, not just because I received the order of merit, but because France has acknowledged the contributions of the Francophone community at large and, specifically, the Francophone medicine community in Hue over the past 30 years," Huy said.

Over three decades ago, when Huy was a student of the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, he joined a translation club which translated hundreds of French medical books, documents, and magazines to serve local students.

At the time, there was no Internet while medical books and newspapers were scarce.

Therefore, the translation of such French medical books and magazines was the unique way to get updates.

After graduation, Huy worked at the university and continued the translation job.

Even though he received a scholarship to participate in a refresher course in Germany, his enthusiasm for French medicine remained unwavering.

After returning to Vietnam, he supported the organization of short-term training courses held by French professors and then became an international honorary member of the French Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Through the association, French professors have annually come to Vietnam to provide new knowledge about obstetrics and gynecology for Vietnamese doctors for the last 13 years.

Huy emphasized that the order of merit was for the Francophone medicine community in Thua Thien-Hue.

“This is the recognition of the entire community, not only an individual. I am just a representative [of the community] to receive the order of merit,” Huy humbly said.

Regarding his upcoming plans, Huy said that he would continue external relations activities so that other countries, especially France, could have a deeper understanding of Hue, the capital of Thua Thien-Hue, and Vietnam and seek win-win cooperation opportunities.

He will also boost the exchange of students and officials.

Last year, the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy inked bilateral cooperation agreements with three large universities in France, including the prestigious Paris-Sorbonne University.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Anh Phuong, director of Hue University, said he was happy when Huy was awarded France’s National Order of Merit for his contributions to medicine and the Vietnam-France friendship.

Phuong added that Huy is a friendly, exemplary, and excellent teacher and scientist who is always devoted to colleagues, students, and patients.

Huy has made significant contributions to the development of the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Hue University as a whole.

Prof. Dr. Huy graduated with a doctorate degree from Germany’s University of Düsseldorf and was promoted to professor in 2019.

Besides working as the rector of the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Huy is now chairman of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association in Thua Thien-Hue as well as an honorary member of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in the province and the French Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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