Nguyen Thi Tra Giang, 25, from Nghe An, is a lecturer at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Six months ago, Giang secured a PhD scholarship at Griffith University, Australia, a university ranked 268th globally by QS. She plans to spend three to four years there, researching micro-mechanical sensors in the mechatronics engineering field, before returning to Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

"When I graduated from university, I didn't think I would develop my career in this direction," Giang said, reflecting on her path.

Nguyen Thi Tra Giang. Photo: Contributed.

Giang is an alumna of the mechatronics engineering program at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, cohort 2017-2022. After graduating with distinction, she worked for a company, all while planning to pursue postgraduate studies abroad.

In early 2024, Giang received a full scholarship for master's and PhD degrees at Kyung Hee University, South Korea, to research nanomaterials. Simultaneously, her former advisor at Hanoi University of Science and Technology presented an opportunity: pursue a master's degree at her alma mater, work in the research lab where she had been involved as a student, and become a source lecturer, recognized for her distinction degree, IELTS 7.0 score, and other achievements.

"I was quite hesitant because I had wanted to study abroad for a long time, and the opportunity had just arisen. Furthermore, I had never thought I would commit to a teaching career," Giang recounted. Her parents, both educators, had always encouraged her to follow in their footsteps when she was applying to universities. Despite winning second prize in the national physics competition for excellent students and being directly admitted to several universities, Giang chose mechatronics engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

At that time, Giang found a teacher's job monotonous, involving repetitive teaching of specific knowledge. In contrast, studying mechatronics engineering was closely related to physics and offered the exploration of more exciting knowledge, ranging from mechanical engineering to electrical-electronics, programming, robotics, and artificial intelligence. When presented with the opportunity to teach, Giang reconsidered. After researching, she realized that becoming a lecturer at Hanoi University of Science and Technology offered more suitable opportunities, even if it meant a longer commitment.

According to Giang, these opportunities included working with skilled lecturers, interacting with young students, and applying for study abroad scholarships at top-ranked universities with the guidance and recommendations from Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Upon returning to the university, Giang's initial tasks included guiding students during exercise sessions, conducting experiments, and participating in scientific research. Interacting with her former teachers as colleagues deepened Giang's admiration for the teaching profession.

"Instead of my childish thoughts from before, I truly cherish this profession and genuinely want to become a lecturer," Giang said.

Giang (in a pink shirt) with lab members in Australia. Photo: Contributed.

With the support of her lecturers, Giang applied for and secured a full PhD scholarship in Australia last July. The mechatronics engineering field encompasses knowledge from various areas, from mechanical engineering to information technology. Giang found it challenging to begin in-depth research on micro-mechanical sensors. Unlike her undergraduate years, where lecturers provided guidance and assigned tasks, Giang had to direct her own research and work more independently. Fortunately, she received support from her professors and colleagues, who had extensive experience in scientific publication.

Anticipating future challenges, Giang aims to publish at least three articles in reputable scientific journals to graduate on time and return to work at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. "I hope to bring my experiences and knowledge from abroad back to Hanoi University of Science and Technology, create practical value, and help students become more passionate and committed to their field of study," Giang said.

Duong Tam