Prof.Dr. Phan Thanh Son Nam in the opening ceremony of International Study Program – HCMC University of Technology

At the age of 36, Phan Thanh Son Nam – Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam National University) was the youngest professor in Vietnam.

At the first meeting of National Professors Council in term of 2014 to 2019 which takes place in 2 days 13/1 and 14/1/2015, the councils considered carefully, voted then decided that there were 59 candidates had met the requirements for professor level and  585 candidates for associate professor level.

Number of candidates for professor level and associate professor increased significantly in 2014 (more than 820 candidates). 2014 was also the year that had 2 candidate recognized as the youngest candidates and the oldest candidate for professor level.

Prof.Dr. Phan Thanh Son Nam, 36 years old, was the dean of the faculty of Chemical Engineering, HCMUT (VNU)

Prof.Dr. Le Ngoc Canh, 81 years old, was a lecturer of The Faculty of Arts, National University of Art Education.

The age difference of the youngest and the oldest professor was more than 50 years, which means that the spirit and awareness in studying in everyone’s lifetime is very important especially for those who work in education.

National Professors Council stated that some candidates were still young but they achieved a lot of success and had many research reports published on prestigious scientific magazines. Furthermore, there were several candidates who had good English skills, deep knowledge and modern styles. According to Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nhung – Vice President of National Professors Council, those were the results of Scholarship Program 322 provided by the Government several years ago.

In 2009, Phan Thanh Son Nam was the youngest candidates that met the requirements of associate professor level. (He was 30 years old at that time).

In HCMUT, Prof.Dr. Phan Thanh Son Nam is many student’s favorite lecturer because he does not only have great achievements but he is also very friendly. Moreover, many of his students have won great prizes in scientific research.