Thesis defense seasons: when teachers rejoice as if their own children have grown up.

Every year, when the thesis, project, and graduation report defense season arrives, university lecture halls witness a multitude of special emotions. There are bouquets of flowers, hugs, commemorative photos, radiant smiles mixed with tears of emotion. It's not just the day students complete a stage of their studies, but also the day teachers see their "children" truly mature.

The first students of the Faculty of Medicine at Dai Nam University are entering the graduation thesis defense phase.

Behind every thesis are countless days of guidance from teachers.

People often see students standing before a panel presenting their research findings for a few dozen minutes. But few see the months spent behind the scenes, meticulously reading every page of the manuscript, correcting every small error, offering feedback on every idea, and encouraging students whenever they feel like giving up.

There were nights when I received messages from students close to midnight, weekends spent reading reports, reviewing data, and editing charts, and some projects that required multiple revisions before they were complete.

And there were also students who broke down in tears because of pressure, because of frustration, because they thought they couldn't complete their studies, but the teachers were still there, more patiently than family members. They trusted them more than the students themselves trusted themselves.

During the time students were working on their graduation theses, the professors stayed up with them, and the students' growth made all the professors' hard work seem to disappear.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Giang, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Business Administration and Marketing, shared: "Each thesis season is a time when there's almost no concept of office hours. There are days when I wake up thinking about the students, and I go to sleep thinking about them. It's really hard work, but seeing them grow and mature day by day makes all the fatigue worthwhile."

On the day of the defense, it's not just the students who are nervous.

On the morning of the defense, students are nervous, but often the professors are just as nervous. Because behind those few minutes of presentation lies the dedication of both teachers and students, the days spent working together to refine each slide, the countless practice sessions until their voices are hoarse, and the encouraging phone calls before the defense. These professors always create a comfortable and friendly atmosphere, helping students prepare mentally for their graduation thesis defense.

Dr. Tran Trong Duong - Deputy Head of the Department of Surgery, Dai Nam University, shared: "Today is a special day for the K14 medical students of Dai Nam University as they have successfully defended their graduation theses and officially completed their challenging journey of becoming doctors. Congratulations to them for overcoming years of diligent study and training with countless efforts, dedication, and aspiration to contribute to the healthcare of the people. Today's achievement is not only the result of knowledge, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility, but also an important milestone opening a new journey – the journey of future doctors. I believe that with the foundation of knowledge they have acquired, along with medical ethics, compassion, and a spirit of continuous learning, they will continue to grow and confidently move forward on their professional path, bringing positive values to patients and the community. I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers, families, and all those who have always accompanied and encouraged them throughout this journey. academic and research progress. Once again, congratulations to the new doctors of cohort K14! We wish you to always maintain your passion, continuously learn, succeed in your medical career, and live up to the noble mission of a physician.

Associate Professor Dr. Truong Duc Thao - Head of the Faculty of Business Administration and Marketing, emotionally stated: "When students stand before the examination board, I feel like parents watching their children take an important exam in their lives. I only hope that they remain calm, confident, and demonstrate everything they have worked hard for throughout this time."

There are professors who quietly sit at the back of the auditorium, not speaking, not appearing much in photos, but their eyes are always focused on each student's answer. And when the students successfully defend their work, the brightest smile is sometimes that of the supervising professor.

Bouquets of flowers are more than just a way to say thank you.

This bouquet of flowers is sent to the teachers as a token of gratitude for their learning journey and personal growth at Dai Nam University.

The thesis defense season is also a time when one can easily encounter many beautiful scenes in universities.

Students rushed to give flowers to their teachers, giving them tight hugs, expressing their heartfelt gratitude, and capturing photos to preserve the memories of a youth that had just come to an end.

There are bouquets of flowers that aren't expensive, but they contain the gratitude for an entire journey.

Because more than anyone else, students understand that today's success is not solely due to their own efforts.

Hoang Ngoc Huyen, a student in the Business Administration and Marketing department, shared: "There were times when I wanted to give up, but it was my teacher who pulled me back up. There were times when I made mistakes, and she didn't scold me but just told me to try again. On the day I successfully defended my thesis, the first thing I wanted to do was run to hug her and say thank you."

After sleepless nights and days of focused data compilation, analysis, and evaluation, the students are now reaping the rewards.

Another student said emotionally, "At Dai Nam University, I not only learn knowledge. I feel the genuine care of the teachers. Some teachers are like mothers, like sisters, like older friends who are always there for the students."

A teacher's happiness is not found in applause.

Many people think that a teacher's joy comes from titles, achievements, or praise.

But perhaps the greatest joy is much simpler: seeing students grow up, seeing those once shy and hesitant students now confidently present before an committee, seeing them find jobs they love, and seeing them live decent, responsible, and happy lives.

The dissertations, meticulously guided, instructed, and analyzed by their professors, are the final step in leading students out of the doors of university.

A long-time lecturer confided: "Each graduating class is like a farewell. I'm happy that they've grown up, but I'm also sad because from tomorrow I won't see them as often anymore."

"There are students who study for four or five years, whom I see every day, and only when they graduate do I realize how much I care for them than I thought."

Each farewell season brings another reason to feel proud.

At Dai Nam University, teachers not only impart knowledge but also accompany students like family members. Some say that teaching is like sowing seeds; teachers sow many seeds but don't always see the results immediately. However, during thesis defense seasons like this, those seeds seem to blossom.

In the bouquets of flowers given by students, in the grateful glances, in the lingering hugs, in the hastily taken photos after the defense, and in the quiet pride of the teachers.

Perhaps that is also one of the most touching beauties of university life, where teachers not only impart knowledge but also dedicate their youth to accompanying the youth of others. And where students, after all the exams, assignments, and academic pressures, still hold their teachers in genuine affection, as if they were family members.

Each thesis defense season will eventually pass, but the memories of our teachers and the youthful years spent at Dai Nam University will remain in the hearts of every student for a long time.