Le Nguyen Ngoc Vu, 23, stands as one of three exceptional valedictorians graduating from Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) this year, achieving a perfect academic score of 4,0/4,0 and a conduct score of 99/100.
Four years ago, when he chose to pursue Mechatronics, the former student from THPT Dong Trieu High School in Quang Ninh never anticipated such an outcome.
"Becoming a valedictorian was not my initial goal when I first entered a notoriously challenging institution like Bach khoa," Vu shared, noting that at the time he lacked specific career direction, opting for the major primarily due to his fondness for Physics.
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Le Nguyen Ngoc Vu is one of six valedictorians to graduate from Hanoi University of Science and Technology with a perfect score since 2007. Photo: Duong Tam
Vu gained admission to Hanoi University of Science and Technology through a talent-based selection process, having won a provincial first prize in Physics. His first Calculus lecture at the university was overwhelming; more than 200 students had already filled the seats when he arrived. Forced to sit at the back, he found the sheer volume of information for one session daunting and, having not read the material beforehand, understood almost nothing.
"The teachers continued lecturing, and I sat there trying to keep up, but I simply couldn't follow," Vu recounted.
Without dwelling on the initial difficulty, Vu transformed that first class into a pivotal moment. He realized that the high school habit of studying and completing assignments in class, avoiding homework, or cramming one or two nights before an exam was no longer effective. This approach, he understood, would not work in a rigorous university environment.
Observing classmates effortlessly solving problems on the board because they had read the textbook, Vu decided to adopt a similar strategy. For subsequent classes, he began pre-reading the material at home, ensuring a basic understanding before attending lectures. He also made notes of any areas of confusion to focus on during the teacher's explanation and to formulate questions.
Simultaneously, Vu overhauled his exam preparation. Instead of last-minute cramming, he dedicated about one month to consistently review all subjects for the semester. In the days leading up to each exam, he would then concentrate on a thorough review of that specific subject's content.
Despite his changed approach, his academic journey was not without its hurdles. On several occasions, despite a solid grasp of the material, a lack of composure led to avoidable errors and lower-than-expected scores. Each time this happened, Vu intensified his study efforts to recover points.
His diligence paid off: Vu consistently maintained high scores and secured every academic encouragement scholarship available. He also excelled in student Olympic competitions, earning a third prize in Physics, a silver medal, and two gold medals in Mechanics Olympic events.
Starting in his third year, Vu joined a laboratory within the Department of Applied Mechanics. There, he engaged in research on problems in nonlinear oscillation and continuous robot dynamics, under the guidance of Doctor Nguyen Thai Minh Tuan and Doctor Truong Quoc Chien.
While his research has not yet resulted in specific publications, this experience proved invaluable. It enabled Vu to apply his theoretical knowledge to practical problems and refine his presentation and research report writing skills.
Doctor Nguyen Thai Minh Tuan expressed no surprise at Vu's academic achievements. Doctor Tuan recalled that when selecting the university team for the Olympic competition, Vu was still in the midst of his engineering mechanics module and lacked the prerequisite knowledge. Nevertheless, Vu independently self-studied, quickly gaining enough proficiency to join the competition group.
During his time in the laboratory, Vu delved deeper into complex areas of Mechanics. He distinguished himself through his proactive and creative approach, often proposing new methods and ideas, while also meticulously adhering to and internalizing the guidance provided by his mentors.
"Vu is highly engaged and always determined to thoroughly understand complex issues. The sheer volume of academic work and research he manages is truly remarkable. This dedication has undoubtedly contributed to his outstanding results," Doctor Tuan observed.
While proud of graduating with a perfect score from Bach khoa Ha Noi, Vu views it as a milestone, not an excuse for complacency. He remains committed to maintaining focus and discipline. In the coming months, the young man from Quang Ninh plans to enhance his foreign language proficiency and pursue a master's degree at Bach khoa Ha Noi.
"I will strive to accumulate scientific research achievements and seek opportunities to pursue doctoral research abroad," Vu stated.
Duong Tam
