Shy girl becomes valedictorian of Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology

Once hesitant to talk to friends or teachers, Nguyen Hong Hanh transformed after her first semester, graduating as valedictorian of the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT).

Nguyen Hong Hanh, 22, graduated with a major in e-commerce from PTIT with a GPA of 3,78/4,0. At the graduation ceremony in late September, she was honored as the top graduate of the entire institute.

"I couldn't have dreamed of this title when I first started, when I didn't even dare to make friends", Hanh said.

Nguyen Hong Hanh. *Photo: Courtesy of interviewee*

Four years ago, the Quoc Oai High School alumna scored 26,9 points on her graduation exam in the A01 combination (Mathematics, Physics, English). With e-commerce booming after the Covid-19 pandemic, Hanh explored the field. She chose PTIT over two other economic schools due to its strong integration of economics and technology. Meeting the admission requirements, Hanh applied as her first choice and was accepted.

Hanh described her early days at the university as "lost and overwhelmed." Being introverted and new to the environment, she hesitated to initiate conversations. Even when overwhelmed by the extensive course material—several times more than high school—and struggling to understand some concepts, she did not dare to ask for help.

Acknowledging she was not naturally gifted, Hanh decided diligence was key. During the 2023 Tet holiday, just before her semester one final exams, Hanh dedicated herself to studying at home instead of socializing. She only relaxed after receiving her results, confirming she passed all subjects.

This experience prompted Hanh to adopt a consistent study approach, avoiding last-minute stress. From semester two, after each class, she systematically reviewed material, sought additional resources, and confidently asked teachers about difficult topics. This method led to her first perfect GPA and an academic encouragement scholarship.

"When I received the email, I first learned the school had this scholarship. I was overwhelmed with joy because I felt recognized and gained more motivation to try", Hanh recounted.

Her confidence grew, making her less reserved in conversations. She and her friends participated two times in the PTIT Young E-Business Star competition, winning first prize in the online retail category. The group also competed in a marketing competition at Hanoi University of Industry, reaching the top 10 in one category.

Hanh also began scientific research, achieving a "good" rating at the institute level and publishing an article in a domestic scientific journal. She noted these activities expanded her knowledge beyond e-commerce to logistics, marketing, and business administration, while applying technology (databases, information security, web design) to practical scenarios.

"I regret being self-conscious during my early university years, which made me miss opportunities to participate in more competitions", Hanh expressed.

This foundation prepared her for her final year, which emphasized practical application. In advanced courses, Hanh directly developed strategies and sold products on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, TikTok, and Amazon, mirroring corporate practices.

She conducted market research, analyzed competitors, planned, developed short-term and long-term sales strategies, established channels, and executed actual sales. Hanh recalled working through nights with her friends on projects, feeling no fatigue. Watching the sales graph steadily rise daily motivated the entire team.

"That was the most enjoyable time of my student life", Hanh said. "Gaining practical experience also helped me profoundly understand that everything in the e-commerce industry changes very quickly. If I stop learning, I will quickly fall behind".

Dr. Tran Thi Thap, Deputy Head of Faculty of Business Administration one and Hanh's academic advisor for the e-commerce major, praised her student's eagerness to learn, perseverance, and self-study ethic.

"Hanh is not the type of student who only studies for high grades but always explores, participates in scientific research, academic competitions, and is ready to embrace new challenges", Dr. Thap said.

Currently working in her field at a Hanoi-based company, Hanh aims to gain extensive practical experience before pursuing further education.