Despite living with speech and mobility challenges, Tran Nhat Phi has closed his university journey with an Information Technology engineering degree from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), along with a string of impressive academic and professional achievements.

Entering campus with deep insecurities about his appearance and voice, Tran Nhat Phi, an Information Technology student, chose not to surrender to circumstance. With double the effort, a “learn-ahead” mindset, and the courage to confront himself, Phi gradually broke through barriers to grow up and prove his own worth.

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Tran Nhat Phi, an Information Technology student, receives his engineering degree at graduation. Photo: XD

On the morning of January 9, HUTECH held a graduation ceremony for students of its Faculty of Information Technology. In the solemn and emotional atmosphere, the story of newly graduated engineer Tran Nhat Phi touched lecturers, parents, and students alike-an inspiring journey of resilience in the face of adversity.

Phi shared that in his early days at university, he carried a heavy burden of self-doubt.

“I began my student journey with a huge sense of insecurity about my appearance and my voice. There were times I was afraid I wasn’t good enough, not fast enough to keep up with the people around me,” Phi said.

The pressure of study and the habit of questioning himself sometimes made Phi hesitate, even placing a question mark over his decision to pursue Information Technology. But instead of letting those barriers become a reason to stop, Phi chose to face them head-on.

“Courage isn’t the absence of fear-it’s how we choose to face it. Instead of letting obstacles hold me back, I chose to work twice as hard to build confidence, and to ‘learn ahead’ so I could accelerate. When others saw difficulty, I chose to see an opportunity to train my endurance,” Phi shared. From that decision, his journey of pushing past his own limits truly began.

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Tran Nhat Phi lives with speech and mobility challenges but has built an impressive list of academic and professional achievements. Photo: XD

While still in university, Phi accumulated two years of work experience as a Software Engineer-a role demanding a strong programming foundation, technical thinking, and familiarity with software development processes. Alongside his studies, he also left his mark in academic and professional arenas, including a Consolation Prize at Uom mam Tai nang (2021); First Prize and Second Prize in individual programming competitions (March and July 2022); Consolation Prizes at IT Got Talent 2023 and 2024; and a Consolation Prize at IT Challenge Dai ly so 2025.

Looking back, Phi said his biggest gain was not only what he learned in classrooms, but a new version of himself-more confident, more decisive, and ready to step beyond his comfort zone.

He also emphasized the role of the learning environment and the companionship of lecturers and friends at HUTECH in helping him move past fear.

“Throughout that time, I always received care, dedicated guidance, and timely encouragement from lecturers and friends. Their kindness, patience, and wholehearted support helped me gradually trust myself more, step by step overcoming fear to try harder each day. I will always remember it and feel deeply grateful,” Phi said.

For the new Information Technology engineer, graduation was not just the moment of receiving a diploma-it was a milestone closing a chapter filled with emotion, a journey of sweat, tears, and the courage to face himself.

“The biggest philosophy I’ve learned over these years is determination and perseverance until the very last moment. There were times I faced challenges that left me disappointed, but instead of giving up, I chose to ‘fight’ for the long term with a more mature mindset,” Phi stressed.

At the ceremony, Phi sent a simple but weighty message to his peers.

“Believe in your own abilities, stay steadfast on the path you’ve chosen, and give your best to your future direction. Everyone starts from a different place, but if you don’t quit, anyone can reach a finish line that is uniquely theirs,” he said.

Phi was among 730 students in the Faculty of Information Technology officially recognized as graduates in this round. The ceremony also honored three valedictorians, 32 students with outstanding full-course achievements, and 11 students recognized for significant contributions to student activities-marking the growth of a new generation of young programmers on their journey to build the future.

Le Huyen