Nguyen Manh Duong, 22, just lately accomplished his knowledge science and synthetic intelligence program at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) with a cumulative GPA of three.94/4, graduating with highest honors. Each yr, solely about 7–8% of HUST college students graduate with distinction (3.6/4 or increased), and only a few surpass 3.9 as Duong did.
Before formally receiving his bachelor’s diploma, Duong obtained, in March, an admission letter to the PhD program in computer science on the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, together with a full scholarship bundle price about US$370,000 over 5 years. According to U.S. News & World Report, the college ranks thirty third total in the U.S. and fifth for computer science.
From a chemistry-specialized student at Hanoi National University of Education High School for the Gifted to a HUST undergraduate, Duong had by no means deliberate to research overseas or pursue a analysis profession. “It all came like destiny,” he stated.
Duong entered college in 2021, when synthetic intelligence was nonetheless comparatively nascent in Vietnam. After researching the sector, he noticed each promise and objective, and determined to swap.
He had gained admission to HUST by way of his highschool educational profile and interview, bolstered by a second prize in the nationwide science and engineering competitors in chemistry. Surrounded by friends with stronger foundations in math and computer science, he initially felt insecure—however that grew to become motivation to grasp AI as deeply as doable.
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Nguyen Manh Duong in a photograph he supplies. |
“I never studied just for grades. I always thought I had to study to really understand,” Duong stated. He consistently requested questions and sought solutions on his personal, which helped him grasp ideas totally and broaden his data. That strategy earned him largely A and A+ grades, even in demanding programs like calculus and statistics, conserving his GPA above 3.8 from his first yr.
Beyond lecturers, Duong was lively in extracurriculars, serving as deputy head of the college’s occasions and applications membership. In his second yr, he entered the “Mr. & Miss HUST” contest and completed as runner-up. He additionally interned as an AI engineer, however discovered the position limiting: there was little room for exploration.
“Even though my grades were among the top in my class, I felt lost. Working for a company did not suit me, but I did not think I was capable enough for research either,” he recalled.
In his third yr, he reached out to HUST’s AIoT Lab to attempt analysis. Applications had closed, however he emailed Associate Professor Nguyen Phi Le, then head of the lab and now head of the AI4LIFE Research Institute, and, after an in-person interview, was accepted. Research proved tougher than coursework; it demanded fixed studying as AI evolves day by day.
After three to 4 months, with steering from Dr. Le and senior lab members, he tailored. “She taught me patiently—from how to read a paper to knowledge that would have taken me years to figure out on my own,” he stated. At the lab, he additionally collaborated with varied professors and specialists who helped him refine his course.
Focusing on federated studying and medical AI, Duong grew to become lead or co-author on seven publications at respected worldwide venues, together with one on the International Conference on Computer Vision, one of many world’s prime computer imaginative and prescient conferences. By the tip of his third yr, he started contemplating graduate research overseas.
Aiming to strengthen his analysis file, he initially deliberate to apply after commencement however this yr submitted a single software to the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, primarily based on two standards: a top-five U.S. computer science program and a lab specializing in medical AI. During a joint HUST–VinUni venture, he had additionally met a number of Illinois professors.
He spent about three weeks making ready his software: transcripts, analysis portfolio, suggestion letters, and a private assertion outlining his motivations and targets. Three professors in Vietnam and the U.S. who had mentored him wrote suggestions. “When I got the acceptance, I was overwhelmed. I honestly was not very confident, since I started research much later than many others,” he stated.
Dr. Le stated Duong is certainly one of three AIoT Lab college students this yr to win a completely funded U.S. PhD in computer science earlier than graduating. “He is an all-rounded student, with logical thinking, research ability, and soft skills,” she stated.
Duong flew to the U.S. final month, a couple of month earlier than receiving his bachelor’s diploma.
For now, he continues collaborating with the AIoT Lab whereas equipping himself with socio-economic data for broader views overseas. “I hope to publish collaborative research with HUST labs while studying in the U.S.,” Duong stated.