A “reverse” decision and a ticket to Asia’s top university

Vu Hai Anh is an alumnus of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program at the School of Economics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Born in 2000, he is currently a faculty-track lecturer under the university’s talent development scheme.

His journey to becoming a young lecturer at one of Vietnam’s leading technical universities came with a sense of destiny.

“At first, I was simply a student with a strong passion for research. I never imagined myself standing at the lectern. My view has always been simple - whatever I do, I commit to it fully and strive to do it as well as possible,” Hai Anh shared.

The turning point came when he met Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Xuan Hoa. Beyond inspiring his research passion, she helped him build a clear development roadmap. Through in-depth topics and rigorous academic discussions, Hai Anh gradually realized that teaching and research were where he could maximize his potential.

After graduating in 2022, despite receiving an offer from a large enterprise with an attractive salary, Hai Anh declined in order to pursue a master’s degree and continue his research path.

During his master’s studies at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, he participated in university- and ministerial-level research projects. He completed one university-level research project and published six international papers. He also spent six months on academic exchange in Germany, experiencing an international research environment and gaining exposure to advanced thinking.

At the beginning of 2024, when Hanoi University of Science and Technology announced its first recruitment of faculty-track lecturers, Hai Anh decided to apply.

“Choosing to become a faculty-track lecturer means accepting a longer roadmap that requires more patience and discipline than entering the workforce immediately. But up to now, I have never regretted this decision,” he said.

Going abroad to return

One crucial decision supporting Hai Anh’s academic journey was to continue with a doctoral program. With a well-prepared research profile, he was admitted to a PhD program and awarded a full scholarship at the National University of Singapore.

“The results I achieved during my master’s studies were the most important evidence demonstrating my research capability when applying to a top university like NUS,” he shared.

Nevertheless, his initial period in Singapore was far from easy. The fast-paced and demanding work style, with everything operating under consecutive deadlines, left him spending many sleepless nights. The change in environment, culture and daily life also caused him to lose 5kg in a short time.

Yet Hai Anh believes that this rigorous environment has compelled each doctoral candidate to maintain iron discipline, meticulousness and an absolute spirit of learning in every smallest detail.

His research experience in Singapore has also fundamentally changed his perspective on knowledge transmission.

“I hope to apply two core values when I return to Vietnam: problem-based teaching rooted in real-life issues, interdisciplinary research thinking and digital skills,” he said.

Instead of delivering pure theory, he wants students to approach knowledge through solving real problems occurring in society, helping them see the practical meaning of what they learn.

At the same time, students need to step beyond the comfort zone of narrow specializations, learn to connect with other fields, and master technological tools, artificial intelligence and advanced software.

As a Gen Z lecturer, Hai Anh considers his advantage to be being “on the same wavelength” as students. The small age gap allows him to better understand their concerns and psychological barriers. Although he is often mistaken for a student, he views it as a “privilege” that helps erase the invisible distance between teacher and learner.

Still, he candidly acknowledges that his biggest challenge lies in practical experience and handling complex pedagogical situations - areas that require time to accumulate and refine.

In the coming years, Hai Anh prioritizes completing his doctoral program with high-quality research outcomes, while building networks connecting leading international labs and experts with Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

“Immediately after finishing the program, I will return to the university to contribute full-time. I want to help build a dynamic, internationally integrated academic environment so that HUST students can confidently step out into the world,” he affirmed.

Thuy Nga