The story of a female valedictorian who graduated from university early.

In just three and a half years, Nguyen Thi Hang, a graduate in Digital Economics and Business from the Academy of Policy and Development, completed her university program with a perfect GPA of 4.0/4.0, proving the spirit of self-learning and self-improvement of young people in the digital age.

Nguyen Thi Hang graduated with top honors from the Academy of Policy and Development.

Step out of your comfort zone.

Born into a farming family in Bac Ninh , Nguyen Thi Hang did not have a particularly privileged background. Her parents were not highly educated, but they always prioritized their children's education. "My family didn't have much in the way of material resources, but we always had the unwavering belief that only knowledge could help us change our lives," Hang recounted.

“University is not just a place to learn knowledge, but a journey of self -discovery . There will be times when you feel tired and doubt yourself, but don't stop. Dare to step out of your comfort zone, don't be afraid to start from scratch, and always strive to believe in your own worth – because effort is always worthwhile. No one is born brilliant; as long as you persevere, work hard, and take responsibility for your choices, you will surely find the best version of yourself on your university journey.” – Nguyen Thi Hang, valedictorian of the Academy of Policy and Development

From a young age, Hang developed discipline and self-motivation in her studies. Therefore, despite facing many difficulties, both Hang and her younger brother strived to get into specialized schools and selective classes, maintaining good academic performance.

"My learning journey wasn't easy at all. There were times when I felt insecure about myself and was very stressed because I felt I didn't have any special talents. But luckily, I always had my family, teachers, and friends by my side, listening and encouraging me at the right time," Hang shared.

Her efforts paid off when Hang passed the entrance exam for the Digital Economics and Business program – one of the new programs at the Academy of Policy and Development (APD), which trains students in the fields of data economics and technology. In just 3.5 years, Hang completed the entire program – half a year ahead of schedule – becoming the top graduate of 2025 with a perfect GPA of 4.0/4.0, and receiving excellent scholarships for all 7 semesters. Hang also won numerous awards in scientific research and extracurricular activities.

Looking back on her journey, Hang said that what makes her most proud is not her scores or titles, but "the journey of daring to think, daring to act, and daring to step out of her comfort zone to become a better version of herself."

Student Nguyen Thi Hang (second from the right) with other members of her research group defending their scientific research project.

"I always remember what my father said after I finished my university entrance exams: 'You're 18 now, take responsibility for your own decisions...' That statement motivated me to create opportunities for myself, instead of just waiting," Hang recounted.

Excellence comes from discipline.

From her first year, Hang boldly ran for class president and joined clubs and non-profit organizations despite her lack of experience. It was through these small steps that Hang gradually matured, learning leadership skills, time management, teamwork, and balancing her studies, experiences, and contributions to society.

“I started reaping the first rewards from receiving an academic achievement scholarship, winning first prize in the Faculty's competition, and being entrusted with the leadership position in the club. Each milestone I achieved was a source of motivation for me to be more confident, more diligent, and to continuously improve myself,” Hang said.

Valedictorian Nguyen Thi Hang impressed everyone by maintaining consistent academic performance throughout seven semesters. “Excellence doesn’t come from intelligence, but from discipline, effort, and passion for what you do. I didn’t just bury my head in books all day, but I always studied the right way and at the right time,” Hang revealed.

Before each course, Hang proactively researched the syllabus, read materials from previous courses, and prepared a solid foundation of knowledge. In class, she chose to sit in the front row to concentrate, always took notes, participated in discussions, and took on the role of group leader to reinforce her understanding. Thanks to this, Hang grasped the basic concepts from the beginning, so she usually didn't need too much time to prepare for exams in each subject. When in the exam room, Hang had a clear strategy: allocating time wisely according to the points allocated to each question, writing complete answers, and not omitting any parts.

"People might find this learning method nothing new, because everyone has read about it somewhere or seen similar advice from 'academic prodigies.' Although it sounds easy and everyone knows it, not everyone can follow it seriously. I myself persevered to the end," Hang said.

The field of Economics and Digital Business is a new area, combining economics, technology, and data. This unfamiliar field initially presented Hang with many challenges. Subjects like Basic Programming, Big Data, and Management Information Systems require strong logical thinking. "Initially, I understood almost nothing, but thanks to the dedicated guidance of my teachers and my self-learning spirit, I gradually caught on," Hang recalled.

That effort helped Hang win First Prize in the Faculty-level Scientific Research Competition and Second Prize at the Vietnam Sustainable Development Forum 2023. Notably, her paper was published at the National Scientific Conference on Digital Human Resource Development – a rare achievement for a university student. Her research topic was titled “Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Training and Developing Digital Human Resources in Vietnam – Opportunities and Challenges.” The research indicated that AI can personalize the learning process, optimize training effectiveness, and support businesses in enhancing their competitiveness. However, Vietnam needs to overcome barriers related to infrastructure, legal framework, and a shortage of technology personnel to catch up with this trend.

According to Hang, young Vietnamese people need three core competencies to avoid being left behind in the digital age: self-learning, creativity, and rapid adaptation. “Knowledge is changing every day. If we don’t proactively learn, we will fall behind. But if we dare to change and innovate, young people can absolutely take control of their future,” she said.

I want to study abroad to broaden my horizons.

Alongside her studies, valedictorian Nguyen Thi Hang simultaneously held multiple roles: Deputy Secretary of the Student Union, Head of the Communications Committee of the Faculty of Digital Economics, Class Secretary, and participated in numerous volunteer projects. She was the champion of the "Talented Young Leader 2022" competition – a leadership skills contest for students. These practical experiences helped Hang mature. The "Sunshine on the Village 2024" volunteer campaign in Son La left a lasting impression on her.

“I remember most vividly the moment I sat coloring with the children in the highlands. Their innocent, eager eyes made me understand that the value of youth lies not only in achievements, but in the ability to spread love,” Hang shared. As Head of Communications, Hang and her colleagues built a dynamic learning environment through skills workshops, career guidance programs, and academic competitions that helped students connect with businesses.

Holding multiple positions simultaneously, Hang inevitably faced pressure. There were nights she worked until 2 or 3 in the morning to meet deadlines, prepare event plans, and then wake up early for school. Especially with her scientific research, she often stayed up all night analyzing data, revising it countless times to perfect each number and graph. "But it was thanks to those struggles that I learned patience, how to work scientifically, and how to organize my work more effectively," Hang shared.

Having completed her university program in just 3.5 years, Hang started working in e-commerce in Hanoi from the beginning of her fourth year. Her eight-month internship helped her gain a deeper understanding of business operations, marketing processes, and data strategies. "I realized I needed a larger-scale, higher-standard environment to grow," Hang shared.

Hang is planning to study foreign languages and pursue a master's degree abroad in 2026, aiming to become a university lecturer and consultant in the field of digital business, with the desire to continue learning, broaden her horizons, and contribute knowledge to future generations of students.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/chuyen-ve-nu-thu-khoa-tot-nghiep-dai-hoc-som-post1794807.tpo