Behind the Fuel-efficient driving team’s success: The dedicated teacher

Certain names may not appear on official achievement boards, yet they play a pivotal role in every success. For over a decade, whenever the Fuel-Efficient Driving Team of Hanoi University of Industry has ascended the podium, the students’ bright smiles have always been supported by a dedicated and discreet mentor- Mr. Ngô Quang Tạo.

Mr. Ngô Quang Tạo, a lecturer at the Automotive Practice and Experiment Center, School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, has been with Hanoi University of Industry for 15 years and has served as the guiding “captain” of the Fuel-Efficient Driving Team for more than ten years, contributing significantly to its sustained accomplishments.

Mr. Ngô Quang Tạo (top row, left) joins students in celebrating their victory at the 2013 Honda Eco & Fuel-Efficient Driving Competition

A graduate of the Mechanical Engineering program at Hanoi University of Industry, Mr. Ngô Quang Tạo returned to join the Faculty of Automotive Technology at the university (now the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, HaUI). At that time, the student team participating in fuel-efficient driving competitions had already been formed and was gradually taking shape. In 2012, Mr. Tạo officially assumed the role of supervising lecturer, taking over a team with an unfinished vehicle project.

Determined to rebuild the team from the ground up, Mr. Tạo personally selected students from his classes, seeking those genuinely passionate about engines, technology, and technical specifications. Just one year after this “relaunch,” in 2013, teacher and students achieved a breakthrough: the team became the champion of the Honda Vietnam Eco & Fuel-Efficient Driving Competition, earning the honor of being one of the two teams representing Vietnam in Japan and ranking fifth in Asia on their very first international appearance.

Mr. Ngô Quang Tạo and his students at the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia

Under Mr. Tạo’s guidance, the team has maintained an impressive and consistent performance, achieving six national championships, including five consecutive wins from 2016 to 2020. On the regional stage of the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia, HaUI’s Fuel-Efficient Driving Team has participated since 2016, earning awards almost every year and consistently ranking among the top teams in the region.

Mr. Tạo shared that behind the team’s achievements were countless sleepless nights in the workshop, with teacher and students meticulously working on the vehicle, adjusting every detail, conducting tests, calculating fuel consumption, and patiently repeating the process. Some international trips involved only the teacher and three students, handling everything from technical work to administrative procedures themselves. Yet, it was precisely these journeys that forged resilience and determination in both the teacher and his students.

Mr. Tạo consistently stands by his students in every competition

Mr. Tạo recalls the team’s first participation in the Shell Eco-Marathon in the Philippines in 2016, when they were stunned to learn that their vehicle did not meet the technical standards. One student had to rush to a local market to source parts, while the remaining three members of the team stayed up all night, improvising and modifying the vehicle on-site. By the next morning, the HaUI car was on the track, completing the race and securing third place in Asia, a well-deserved reward for countless sleepless nights.

Unforgettable moments with Mr. Tạo and his students during the 2017 season at Mỹ Đình National Stadium

When asked about his most memorable moment, Mr. Tạo did not hesitate to choose the 2017 season at Mỹ Đình National Stadium. The team’s car crossed the finish line with a blown tire on a soaking wet track, leaving little hope of winning. Yet, when the results were announced and HaUI’s name was called as the champion, teacher and students embraced in pure joy. That year, the vehicle achieved an impressive performance of over 600 km per liter of fuel, a remarkable feat given the extremely challenging conditions.

For Mr. Tạo, the “key” to a strong team has always been its people. Each student is assigned a specific role, turning the competition into a “living laboratory” where they can learn, experiment, and innovate without limits. Beyond technical skills, the team learns to work collaboratively, communicate with businesses and organizers, and most importantly, maintain composure and solve problems under pressure, embodying the true spirit of future engineers.

After each competition, Mr. Tạo diligently returns to teaching, working alongside students in the automotive practice workshops

Currently, Mr. Tạo’s team remains as active as ever. Student groups continue to engage in research and design using models and simulation software, preparing for new vehicle types and alternative fuels. At the same time, they participate in competitions such as the “Three-Wheeled Electric Vehicle Design and Fabrication Contest” organized by the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, honing the skills of the next generation of team members.

Mr. Ngô Quang Tạo, teaching at the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, silently passing on his passion for engineering to students

As a former student who once studied, matured, and then returned to contribute at the very institution where he trained, Mr. Tạo has spent 15 years at HaUI and possesses a profound understanding of a young engineer’s journey. For him, leading the competition team is not merely about achievements; it is about nurturing the spirit of the profession, helping students discover their passion, and supporting them in pursuing their chosen path to the fullest. Amid the roar of engines and the smell of fuel, there is always the love for the craft and the deep care of a quiet, dedicated teacher.

The glory that students achieve today always bears the silhouette of the teacher behind them. It is precisely such dedicated spirits as Mr. Tạo’s that make the teaching profession timelessly noble, worthy of respect, and a calling to be pursued throughout one’s life.

On the occasion of Vietnam Teachers’ Day, November 20th, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Ngô Quang Tạo and all teachers dedicated to teaching and nurturing students. Thank you to the quiet “boatmen,” who stand silently behind every step and every success of countless generations of students. We wish all our teachers good health, unwavering passion for their profession, and the continued ability to serve as steady “captains,” guiding many more generations of HaUI students to conquer new challenges and reach new horizons.