Once focused on studying Mathematics, Literature and English not Physics, Duong Ngoc Khanh Vy now becomes valedictorian of Biomedical Engineering of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) with 10 marks for her thesis and overall graduation score of 8.54.

Khanh Vy (born in 1995) has just graduated in April, 2018 as the valedictorian of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science, HCMUT. Khanh Vy was one out of 11 students to receive this title.

FATE BROUGHT ME AND BACH KHOA TOGETHER

When in high school, Khanh Vy majored in Mathematics, Literature and English. She both applied to study Marketing in Can Tho University and HCMUT. Nevertheless, making it to Bach Khoa was fate.

“Back then, my uncle, who is a doctor, told me that there is a medicine-related engineering. I was quite interested in medicine, but not that good in biology and also did not want to be a doctor. That was the time when I discovered about Biomedical Engineering. On the day taking the assessment test in Bach Khoa, I told myself to take a tour around it as I might not have a second chance to do so.” – said Khanh Vy.

Vy called this is fate because Physics is the hardest subject. She even borrowed her friend’s formula sheet but only managed to solve the easiest questions on the test. Luckily, her score was closely above the line.

She finally got the offer letter from both universities, but she decided to come to Ho Chi Minh City instead of studying Marketing in Can Tho.

STRESSED OUT BECAUSE OF NATURAL SCIENCE KNOWLEDGE

At the first semester in Bach Khoa, Khanh Vy was totally lost. Fundamental Physics became her fear because of overload knowledge that she was not able to understand.

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She said: “In solving exercises sessions, while everyone was doing their assignments, I did not know a single thing to do. Fortunately, my friends were all willing to help. At that time, all I could do was to learn by heart. They instructed me, then I did that exercise again and again until I remembered how to solve it. When the exams came, I could only do exercises to which I was familiar.”
Throughout the whole first semester, Vy could only understand one subject. There were moments that Khanh Vy wanted to give up and study Early Childhood Education instead as she has an aptitude for taking care of children. However, after serious consideration, she thought that even if she changed her major, she was not sure whether it would be boring or not, thus, encouraged herself to keep moving forward.

“I did not have a logical mindset, hence, I met quite a lot of difficulty in studying. For example, I could hardly pass engineering drawing or three-dimensional geometry subjects. My friends tried to help but unsuccessful. They also helped me with the homework so that my participation and mid-term grade could be a little better. However, there were still subjects that made me feel I was not suitable to study Natural Science.” – Vy told us.

Semester 2 came, Vy gradually kept up with the pace. And from the second year, Vy started to set goals that she needed to achieve the following year. By hard work, she realized that the curriculum was heavy but not as difficult as she had thought.

“The knowledge was not that hard to understand, but, instead, too much, thus I had to find ways to get used to it.” – said Vy.

10 MARKS FOR GRADUATION THESIS

In semester 2 of the third year, Vy studied and did her research at the same time. Most of the students went for theoretical research, but she decided to create a supporting device using fluorescence to assist in detecting tooth decay. Vy was interested in light-related research and medicine, that’s why she chose this topic.

She claimed: “I was just interested in light, nevertheless, did not have any specific direction to go. At first, I intended to choose laser, but laser was often used for theoretical research, and I chose fluorescence instead. My thesis advisor also studied about fluorescence, thus I followed her.”

Vy had a lot of difficulties in purchasing equipment, spare parts to make the prototype as some of them, for example, camera, had to be ordered from foreign websites and she could only receive them after one month.

On the other hand, Vy resorted to many people’s help, and she attributed her success to their whole-hearted support.

“When I decided to go for applied direction, I had to accept the risk that I might not be able to handle electrical problems or engineering draft and nobody might be there to help. I forced myself out of my comfort zone and let me find out what to do next on my own. I also asked my teachers, friends and seniors.

Obviously, I could not have made it if I was not supported. However, I still had to know the basic things. For instance, I understood about circuits and how to control electric current but I did not know how to optimize it, hence, I asked my friends for help.” – said Vy.

Her thesis was highly valued and received 9.5. In addition, Vy also had scientific research which was published in a science magazine and got a bonus 1 mark for that.

Speaking about realisticism of her invention, she desired to bring it on the market, as it was already invented in Germany but sold at a high price though helpful and easy to manufacture. However, more time is needed for this invention to be gone through researches and experiments.