DARE TO CHALLENGE YOUR POTENTIAL WITH DIFFICULT GOALS
Despite seeing himself as normal high school students, Vo An Khuong (25 years old) has made massive progress since he entered university. How come?
Possessing international articles, graduation thesis graded 10/10, he was offered a full scholarship for doctor degree in the USA.
Sharing about receiving a straight doctor degree offer, Khuong said: “ Post-graduate fellow programs in most universities in the USA contain both master and doctor knowledge within about 5-6 years so a master’s degree is not necessary for admission.
The university instead will evaluate students’ profile based on a lot of criteria including English grades, GRE, GPA, …
An Khuong, the second person from the left, on a trip with his friends
As the doctor’s program is mainly on doing research, proving that I am experienced and had achievements in the research field is really important. Moreover, to convince instructing professors plays an important role as well.
“Personally, I think when you do not mind going to any length to try, you’ll always receive a worthy reward”, said An Khuong.
*Which internationally published article makes you proud the most?
There are two international articles I considered as milestone marking my advancement in doing research: one was published in Database and Expert Systems Applications Conference when I just graduated and one was when I was working, published on Computational Vision and Robotics Journal, in Scopus category – one of the most influential systems of science information nowadays.
*How can you achieve an absolute grade for your thesis?
Our group’s thesis topic came from our scientific research at the end of the second year in university, thus, we have more time to complete, the topic scope was wide, especially, our group has international published articles. All the above persuaded the council to give us a 10.
In studying, I don’t have any special secrets. Firstly, you have to know what are you studying for to have an overview before heading into details. This also requires students to actively participate in projects, internship reports as many as possible.
*But you shared that you weren’t so outstanding during the time studying in Le Hong Phong High school for the gifted?
Yes, I wasn’t in the specialized class and only had normal achievements, no prestigious academic awards at all. Neither do I have any special ability, however, as long as that is what I want, I’ll go to any length to obtain it. I don’t mind setting difficult, out-of-comfort-zone goals and I believe “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”.
Outstanding achievements or glorious past could not determine a bright future. Luckily, my family didn’t put any pressure on me, most of the time, I challenge myself.
*An articulate and joyful person … hmm, not a typical characteristic is often seen in scientists?
(laugh) Scientific research is my passion, it brings me happiness in my work, but more than that, in my life, for example, it is the matchmaker who introduces and ties me and my wife together.
I am not sure whether my life is different from other researchers. Usually, after finishing my work, I come back home, read books, program, and hang out with friends, too. At weekends or in stressful periods, trekking and mountain climbing are my options to refresh my mind, to boost energy again.
*A meaningful failure to you?
I’ve been through a lot of failures, each taught me a lesson I will never forget. For example, failing to apply a case study method helps me sharpen my thinking, improve problem-solving skills, develop a better method, accumulate more knowledge or a failure in a startup competition makes me realize that bringing a high-tech product into real life is a long way to go, etc.
Failure should never dishearten me, on the contrary, the more difficult it is, the more I am eager to achieve it, to dig deeper. In my opinion, I rather fail to acknowledge my real position than regret later for not giving it a try.
*As an engineering guy but you achieved an IELTS of 7.5?
The way I learned English is very simple, just “constant dripping wears away a stone” by providing myself with ease to expose to English since I was little. I rarely took any extra classes, instead, I watch movies, read articles to practice listening and imitate how native people talk, use different words.
Later on, my daily job requires me to read many English-written technical materials to compose reports, discuss in English … these all complete my English.
Doctor scholarship of $280,000!
Vo An Khuong graduated with an absolute thesis grade from Talent Engineer of Computer Engineering (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology) and his thesis was the only one that year to receive a 10.
Khuong also had six pieces of research about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data, which were published on famous international science journals and conference, moreover, he had received many international scholarships before being offered scholarships to study in 5 universities in the USA and Japan. Then, An Khuong chose to start his university life at the University of California Irvine (USA) with a full doctor scholarship of $280,000, researching AI, Internet of Things (IoT) in the health-care industry.
T.U
