Turning down a full scholarship in South Korea, Tra Giang chose to remain in Vietnam and become a future faculty member at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. A year later, she went on to secure a fully funded PhD scholarship in Australia.

Nguyen Thi Tra Giang, 27, is currently a future faculty member at the School of Mechanical Engineering under Hanoi University of Science and Technology. She submitted her application and was officially admitted in early 2024.

Giang is an alumna of the Mechatronics program at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. She was directly admitted to the university after winning second prize in the national excellent student competition in Physics while studying at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted in Nghe An.

Explaining her choice of Mechatronics, Giang said the field closely aligns with the strong Physics foundation she built throughout her secondary education.

“I wanted to continue in a discipline where I could effectively apply the knowledge I had accumulated over many years. In addition, this is a broad, interdisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, programming and robotics. The environment requires me to think holistically and solve problems from multiple perspectives rather than focusing narrowly on a single specialty,” Giang shared.

When she first entered university, Giang had never imagined herself pursuing a teaching career. After graduation, she worked as an engineer at a company. However, the repetitive nature of the job and the limited room for creativity gradually made her realize it was not the right path.

“I think I am better suited to research, where I can delve into new problems and where creativity is more strongly demanded,” she said.

In early 2024, Giang applied for and won a full scholarship for both master’s and doctoral studies at Kyung Hee University in South Korea. Around the same time, her former academic supervisor at Hanoi University of Science and Technology introduced her to an opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at the university and join its future faculty development program.

“At that time, I was quite torn because the desire to study abroad had been nurtured for a long time,” Giang recalled.

After careful consideration and consultation with her mentors, she realized there would be many opportunities if she became a lecturer at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Beyond learning from leading professors in her field, she could also apply for scholarships at highly ranked universities worldwide with recommendation and academic guidance from her teachers.

She therefore decided to forgo the opportunity to study in South Korea and remain in Vietnam, applying for the university’s future faculty recruitment program in February 2024.

After being selected, Giang took on responsibilities such as assisting in several classes, observing lectures and participating in scientific research.

“As I stepped into the profession, I grew even more appreciative of it and increasingly aspired to become a good lecturer,” she said.

During this period, she continued seeking scholarship opportunities and building international academic connections. With support from her mentors, in July 2025 she was awarded a fully funded PhD scholarship at Griffith University in Australia.

Currently, Giang focuses on research in microelectromechanical sensor design. She aims to complete publications in reputable scientific journals to graduate on schedule and return to Hanoi University of Science and Technology to work.

As a Gen Z lecturer, Giang believes she has an advantage in connecting with students thanks to her understanding of their psychology and learning attitudes. Young lecturers like her, she added, are also more receptive to new methods and technologies that can be integrated into learning and teaching.

Nevertheless, she acknowledges the need for more time to accumulate experience in the classroom and to learn how to balance approachability with discipline and academic standards.

“I hope not only to teach knowledge but also to help students develop a research mindset, learn how to study independently, ask questions and work responsibly,” Giang said.

As she is still in the early stage of her doctoral program, Giang prioritizes strengthening her professional foundation to directly serve her research direction, while gradually building high-quality scientific publications. She also hopes to gain further experience in an international research environment, cultivate discipline, improve work organization and enhance academic collaboration skills.

Her long-term goal, after completing her PhD, is to return to Hanoi University of Science and Technology to continue teaching and conducting research, contribute to student training and help build a professional, modern research environment.

Thuy Nga