In 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Võ Hoàng Nhật Khang, a student from lotus-scented Đồng Tháp province, found himself clinging to the edge of acceptance at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (HCMUT, VNU-HCM). “It felt like fate”, he believes.

A DREAM OF HCMUT SINCE 11TH GRADE

Hi everyone, I’m Võ Hoàng Nhật Khang, a K2021 graduate of the English-taught Computer Science program at HCMUT. Getting in was no easy feat. The pandemic threw everything into disarray – 12th-grade exams, university admissions, even enrollment. 

We, the students of Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Specialized High School in Sa Đéc City, were exempted from the national exam due to safety concerns. While a relief, it meant losing a significant avenue for university entrance. My score of 973 on the alternative National High School Exam, just a single point above the cut-off of 972, only solidified my belief that HCMUT was where I belonged. It felt like a narrow window of opportunity, and I was determined to squeeze through.

A CROSS-ROAD BEFORE HCMUT

Back in 2020, I was offered a tempting scholarship: 50% off tuition at IPU New Zealand to study Business. The program promised a fast track to university after 11th grade. But there was a nagging doubt. Business wasn’t where my heart truly lay.

My father nurtured my passion for technology early on, demystifying the world of programming, algorithms, and computer graphics. In high school, I thrived in the maths team, even winning competitions at the provincial and regional levels. This ignited a love for calculus and linear algebra, foundational subjects for engineering.

My mother, however, saw medicine as a promising and stable career path for my quiet and introspective nature.

Ultimately, I chose passion over convenience. I turned down the scholarship and set my sights on HCMUT’s Computer Science program, determined to make it in.

HCMUT-OISP: MORE THAN I CAN SAY

HCMUT thrives on camaraderie. Surrounding yourself with like-minded peers is essential for success. My classmates weren’t just competitors pushing each other academically; they were also my support system, celebrating victories and offering a hand through challenges. HCMUT also boasts incredible professors – passionate educators dedicated to instilling knowledge and guiding students toward their goals.

Choosing the English-taught program proved to be an excellent decision. The faculty is a powerhouse of talent, with many having studied at top universities worldwide. The curriculum is rigorous, and the campus is modern and well-equipped, providing all the tools needed to excel.

The Office for International Study Programs (OISP) takes student development seriously. They host a plethora of enriching activities: academic events, study abroad workshops, science competitions, and engaging social interactions. These opportunities have allowed me to broaden my knowledge base, sharpen my soft skills, and connect with a network of inspiring individuals.

I’m an avid participant in workshops, seminars, and talks. These events expose me to cutting-edge trends, hone my presentation skills, and help me become a more confident communicator.

HCMUT is more than just a university; it’s a springboard to success. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this vibrant academic community.

DEEP DIVES AND RESEARCH: THE KEYS TO DEADLINE DOMINATION

My weapon of choice for conquering deadlines? Intense focus. Two to three hours are my usual zone, occasionally morphing into epic four-hour marathons when the material sparks my curiosity. This laser focus, honed over long sessions, has become a game-changer for crushing deadlines.

But learning doesn’t end with textbooks. Research became my secret weapon during that first online-only semester. With extra time, I devoured time management strategies, productivity hacks, and stress-busting techniques. It wasn’t just knowledge; it was about preventing those precious hours from slipping away. This commitment to continuous learning fuels my self-directed discovery, as evidenced by my participation in diverse projects.

Recently, large language models have captured my imagination. I’m building a chatbot for the department, equipping students with instant answers to academic hurdles. 

This foray into AI sparked a deeper curiosity, leading me to explore how multimodal models can elevate AI-generated images and text-to-speech tools. My research portfolio also boasts contributions to Vietnamese-to-Bahnar machine translation and broader language models.

Thrilling news. A paper co-authored with my team, led by esteemed Associate Professor Quản Thành Thơ, was accepted for publication at the prestigious 14th Symposium on Educational Advances in Artificial Intelligence (EAAI) in Vancouver! Our research, titled “Revitalizing Bahnaric Language through Neural Machine Translation: Challenges, Strategies, and Promising Outcomes,” aims to bridge the communication gap between Vietnamese and Bahnar people in three main areas: Binh Dinh, Gia Lai, Kon Tum.

Through my participation in numerous university projects and leadership roles in study groups, I’ve come to understand that presentation skills hold equal weight to leadership itself. This importance extends beyond academics, impacting success in the workplace and all walks of life. Furthermore, proactiveness is an absolute game-changer. Without it, we risk missing out on opportunities for relationship development, career advancement, and future planning.

Equally crucial is the ongoing development of strong professional skills. This allows us to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of our surroundings, be it the learning environment, research sphere, or the professional world.

My journey continues as I strive to become a top-tier engineer in the field of artificial intelligence and data science. My goal is to create impactful applications that benefit the community and improve people’s lives. While the road ahead is lengthy, and challenges abound, I take heart in the pioneering spirit nurtured within me at HCMUT. This spirit, I believe, will be a powerful weapon in conquering future obstacles.

ABSTRACTS OF EXCELLENCE: VO HOANG NHAT KHANG K2021 English-taught program in Computer Science – Cumulative GPA: 3.6/4.0 – Secretary of the CC21KHM1 Youth Union – 2021-2022 academic year to present – Outstanding Student of Computer Science and Engineering in 2022-2023 academic year – “Talented OISP Student” of OISP Gala 2023 – Top 5  OISP Presentation Contest 2021 with the project “Online Learning Aid – OLA” (providing free learning materials for nationwide high school students) – Other achievements: Top 20 in GDSC Hackathon 2023, Top 50 in Global Health Hackathon 2022, Top 100 in Shopee Code League 2022, Top 10 in BK RoboCup 2022, Top 4 in OISP Neuron Race 2022