He has authored six scientific articles, including four published in prestigious international journals.

Born in 1992, Duc stands out not only for his dedication to teaching but also for his active involvement in scientific research and training students for academic competitions. 

In 2020-2024, he published six scientific research works, including two in national journals and four in reputable international journals. In 2024 alone, Duc published three articles on SCIE/Scopus journals.

His research principally aims at developing a drug for diabetes treatments, focusing on synthesizing heterocyclic compounds that inhibit the α-

glucosidase enzyme, which is critical in breaking down starch into glucose. If the amount of glucose in the blood is too high and cannot enter the cells, it will lead to diabetes. Effective inhibition of this enzyme can manage blood sugar levels.

Engaging in research has positively influenced Duc’s teaching. "The more I research, the better I understand the essence of issues, which helps enrich my knowledge and change teaching method,” he said.

He once participated in provincial entrepreneurship competitions, securing first prize for a project on environmentally friendly hand soap production from cay chum ruot (Phyllanthus acidus). The project was recognized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and included in the Vietnam 2019 Golden Book of Innovations.

Duc also guided students in a project on producing hand sanitizers using antibacterial agents from dung dinh (Caryota mitis) tree leaves and fruits, Under the project, over 2,000 liters sanitizers were produced and used during Covid-19 (in schools, districts’ agencies and field hospitals).

Under his mentorship, students gained impressive scientific research achievements – a second prize at provincial level, and a second prize at national level at the science and technology competitions for high school students, organized annually.

According to Duc, scientific research not only helps discover new things, but also helps students promote their potential.

“When conducting scientific research, I find my students become mature, not just in knowledge, but also in the way of thinking and solving questions,” Duc said, adding that this is a driving force that makes him love this job.

Initiatives

In his educational practice, Duc has implemented numerous effective teaching innovations. One of the initiatives was the one on developing students' self-study of Chemistry through the "flipped classroom" model, recognized by the provincial people’s committee.

“Flipped classroom” is a learning model that aims to help students be more proactive in acquiring knowledge. Instead of going to class and giving lecture in accordance with the traditional way, the teacher asks students to study lessons through documents and videos in advance.

In class, instead of giving theoretical knowledge, the teacher reserves time for students’ presentations. He spends time to give answers to students’ questions, leading group discussions, guiding practice and showing how to solve questions.

"This approach allows students receive knowledge in an active way, practice students’ teamwork and problem-solving skills. With practice, students can remember knowledge better than passively receiving information from teachers,” he said.

The teacher usually lets students implement projects themselves, which allows them to understand lessons better and apply knowledge in reality. For instance, when teaching the lesson about combustion reactions, he requests students to make mini fire extinguishers.

Students are requested to find plastic bottles or objects around them to create an extinguisher model. The teacher shows students how to pour chemicals into the objects (for example baking soda and vinegar) to create CO2 and extinguish fire.

He also requests students to explain the design of extinguishers to understand how gas will escape after reactions.

Duc believes that with this teaching method, which focuses on practice activities, students can be more critical. 

“They may not follow my instructions but create CO2 by a different reaction and still be able to put out the fire. What makes me happy is that many groups of students have come up with different solutions, not too dependent on my instructions,” Duc said.

With his high capability and prestige, Duc is always a member of the council which raises exam questions and marks students’ works for the province’s competitions for excellent students.  Since 2020, Duc, together with teammates, has trained 21 students for competitions for excellent students in the province.

With his tireless efforts, Duc has been honored as outstanding teacher in 2024.

Thanh Hung