EduAsiaNews, Vietnam – At the graduation ceremony of Nguyen Tat Thanh University on January 24, as students stepped onto the stage one by one to receive their diplomas, the auditorium suddenly fell silent before an extraordinary moment unfolded.
“Without my mother, I would not be standing here.”
Pham Trung Tri Dung, a student of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, gently helped his mother out of her wheelchair and carried her on his back onto the stage to receive his graduation diploma. It was not only a deeply emotional moment, but also the culmination of a long journey spent between hospital wards and lecture halls.
“When I was a child, my mother carried me, cared for me, and watched my first steps. Now, I am old enough to become her pillar of support, guiding her through an important milestone in life,” Dung shared.
Dung carries his mother onto the stage to receive his graduation certificate.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Dung persevered in his studies and graduated cum laude.
Dung was born and raised in a family deeply connected to the pharmacy profession. His mother is a pharmacist who worked for many years at a small pharmacy in their hometown of Go Cong (formerly Tien Giang Province). Dung’s childhood was filled with the scent of medicine and long nights during which his mother meticulously checked prescriptions and sorted each package of medication.
After graduating from high school, Dung did not immediately enroll in university like his peers; instead, he joined the military to fulfill his compulsory service. Tragedy struck during his later university years. Dung’s father developed severe dementia and became unable to care for himself, requiring near-constant assistance with daily activities. Before Dung could fully adjust to this situation, his mother was diagnosed with a serious illness.
Despite being occupied with his studies and family responsibilities, Dung continued to participate in scientific research competitions.
From that point on, Dung’s life was divided into two parts. One was spent in Ho Chi Minh City, following a demanding schedule of classes and internships at hospitals and pharmacies. The other was spent in his hometown—eating hurried meals, assisting his father with personal care, and accompanying his mother to the hospital for treatment.
“There were days when I interned from morning until night, then took the bus home late in the evening. At night, I stayed awake to care for my mother, and in the morning, I took the bus back to school. Sometimes I was so exhausted that I wanted to sleep all day, but I did not allow myself to give up,” Dung said.
Understanding medication and knowing how to care for his mother
Thanks to his pharmaceutical studies, Dung was able to read and understand prescriptions, monitor side effects, and recognize when it was necessary to inform doctors. The knowledge he gained through his education became a vital tool in caring for his own family.
“At the very least, I no longer panic when I see the numbers on a prescription. I understand what my mother’s body is going through and how I need to prepare myself mentally,” Dung said softly.
However, misfortune did not end there. Just one month before his thesis defense, Dung’s father passed away. Dung had to arrange his father’s funeral, care for his mother after treatment, and complete his thesis. Through sheer determination, he successfully defended his thesis on time and graduated with distinction.
With his outstanding academic achievements and perseverance, Dung was selected to represent the graduating class and deliver a speech at the ceremony. Standing on the stage and looking at his elderly mother seated nearby, every word he spoke brought tears to the eyes of those in attendance.
Dung, representing the graduating class, delivers a speech at the graduation ceremony.
For Dung, this was the most beautiful photograph of his life.
Dung said, “Mother, this diploma is not only my achievement; it is also your dream, Father’s silent sacrifices, your tears, the long nights in the hospital, and the simple meals you cooked for the two of us.”
“I know the road ahead is still long and difficult, but let us do our best together, Mom. I will take Father’s place by your side, fight this illness with you, and move forward together so that Father may rest in peace.”
Nguyen Thi Xuan Lieu, a pharmacist and Head of the Department of Pharmacy Management at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, as well as Dung’s academic advisor, commented that her student was not only academically gifted but also deeply responsible toward his family and his own future. Even while balancing work at hospitals and university, he never neglected his studies.
“The image of Dung carrying his mother onto the stage to receive his diploma today has not only touched the hearts of many people, but has also become a beautiful symbol of a young man who knows how to stand firm in the face of adversity and see his chosen path through to the very end,” pharmacist Lieu remarked.
