Belgian professor has big heart for Vietnam
Working within the scientific community in Vietnam to protect the environment has left a Belgian professor with a great passion for the country.
Prof. Luc Hens, the Head of Human Ecology Department of the Free University of Brussels (VUB) has had no less than 30 trips to Vietnam, and in an interview with Hoang Lan Huong, reporter of Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in Brussels, it becomes evident that his life’s work revolves around the southeast Asian country.
You can sense his passion and emotion as he talked about Vietnam, in his office decorated with artefacts from throughout the world, of which those from Vietnam held a special prominence, Huong said.
Along with Vietnamese scientist Tran Dinh Lan, Professor Hens has penned a report on the marine ecology for the Dinh Vu economic zone near Hai Phong, to limit the impact of development on the environment.
With support from the Belgian government, Prof. Hens has conducted many ecological studies, and his stories of his passionate work run from the cajuput to the mangrove forests and the shrimp farmers of Vietnam, all part of his worldview and awareness for Vietnam’s natural environment.
Students in VUB, following the master’s program in Human Ecology can’t help but grow close to Prof. Hens and his impassioned sensitivity to the environment in Vietnam.
“He [Prof. Hens] is very close to students, and keen on discussing freely with and listening to them,” said master’s student Nguyen Viet Dung.
Tran Le Tra guided by Prof. Hens on his thesis, said: “Prof. Hens is exemplary of serious-minded researcher…working under his guidance is a great chance for any student.”
The impact Vietnam has on expatriates working within the country can be wide and varied, but Prof. Hen’s deep love for the environment, the country, and the people of Vietnam and his devotion as a teacher are evident to all who speak with him.
By Nguyen Thi Thuc - Thanh Nien - May 29, 2005.
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