Vietnamese teacher wins many awards in Australia, helps school rank number 2 in the world

After working in Vietnam, Ms. Vu Thi Phuong Thao obtained her master's and doctorate degrees in Australia and joined a leading university in the country, achieving many notable achievements and awards.

Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Thao, senioreducational designer currently working at Monash University (Australia)

Teachers receive many scholarships and awards

Ms. Phuong Thao (from Hai Phong) was born and raised in a family with a tradition of teaching, so she had a passion for teaching since she was young. After graduating from high school, she went to Hanoi to pursue English teaching at the University of Foreign Languages ​​(Vietnam National University, Hanoi) and became one of the five best students of the course. This achievement made the school immediately invite her to stay as a lecturer in 2007, and was her first memorable "award".

"Being trusted and given the opportunity to develop into a new educational leader in the department right after graduation has brought about a big change in me. It has shown me the power of believing in a person's potential," Ms. Phuong Thao shared.

Not long after, the young female lecturer became one of 20 Vietnamese people to be awarded the Australian Leadership Award (ALA) by the Australian government . At that time, she was only 24 years old and chose to study for a master's degree in education at the University of Melbourne. In 2011, the Vietnamese teacher continued to graduate with honors, ranking second in her class, and then returned to Vietnam to continue her teaching position at the University of Foreign Languages.

During this time, the female master began to participate in research and attend many conferences. From there, she began to be interested in methods to help her university lecturer colleagues develop best in their academic journey. Receiving two prestigious scholarships from the University of Melbourne, Ms. Thao went to Australia again, this time to pursue a doctorate in education at the Center for Research in Higher Education (CSHE) at the university in 2012.

She officially defended her doctoral thesis successfully in 2020, but before that, Ms. Thao had the opportunity to teach and research at many Australian universities such as Monash College, Deakin University, and finally Monash University in 2016 until now. In 2018, she started working in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences as an educational designer. In 2021, the female doctor was appointed as a senior educational designer.

"This position allows me to lead strategic education initiatives and collaborate with colleagues to improve the quality of learning and teaching. Currently, I am also a member of the Faculty's Education Executive Board and the Chair of the Faculty's Evaluation Subcommittee. I also actively contribute to the school's Learning Circle initiative on artificial intelligence in education," Ms. Thao shared.

During her time at Monash, Dr Thao also helped develop the vertically integrated master’s program in pharmacy, an educational program that has won many national and international awards. She has also received six major awards from the university, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Advanced Learning Programs, the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in a Priority Area, etc.

"My mission is to create opportunities for lecturers to develop, helping them bring values ​​to students to grow and progress. When I see lecturers adjusting their teaching methods and the positive spirit they bring to students, I remember the teachers who put their trust in me like in the past," Ms. Thao confided.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2025 (UK), Monash University is ranked 37th in the world and 5th in Australia. The school is also part of the Go8 alliance of Australia's top 8 research universities. In addition, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences where Dr. Thao works is ranked 2nd in the world in the field of pharmacy and pharmacology.

In addition to teaching awards, Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Thao has also published more than 12 scientific works and has been cited more than 300 times.

Advice for the younger generation

Having won many scholarships and awards, according to Ms. Thao, there is no general formula for success. "My advice to young people on the journey to conquer their dreams is to start by understanding yourself, seeing your strengths and weaknesses as opportunities for growth. Great teachers and mentors can make a big difference, helping you discover and develop qualities that you may not have realized before," she said.

At the same time, Ms. Thao also advised students to reflect on their own failures and successes, not only their own, but also those of others. Learn to love the learning process, learn from those around you by working together, observing and being open to feedback. Approach everything with a passion for learning, a desire to make a positive impact and dedicate yourself to everything, big or small, according to the female doctor.

The educational design expert also emphasized that it is important for the younger generation to be given the space to explore themselves with the support of people who can guide them without imposing a predetermined path. "The way I deal with challenges always revolves around accepting uncertainty, seizing opportunities, and learning from failures and mistakes," Thao shared.

"I wish all the teachers who are dedicated to the industry to continue to shine in their own way. I hope that you will always find joy and development in both your personal life and career. Always remember that your impact does not stop at the present lessons, but also spreads to many future generations," Ms. Thao sent a message to her colleagues on Vietnam Teachers' Day.

"Vietnam always has a special place in my heart. I hope to find more ways to contribute to the country's development, especially in the field of education," Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Thao confided.

Helping women maximize their academic potential

Another educational milestone for Ms. Thao is her involvement in Her Research Matters, which aims to address gender inequality in research and academia. The program was established in 2019 and currently provides essential resources, mentorship and funding for female educators and researchers, helping them overcome barriers and make significant contributions to their fields of expertise while promoting a culture of innovation, inclusion and change in the education system.

“I have experienced tremendous changes thanks to the dedication of the teachers in the advisory team and that inspires me to create similar opportunities for others,” said Ms. Thao.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-giao-viet-dat-nhieu-giai-thuong-tai-uc-cung-dua-truong-dung-so-2-the-gioi-185241120164748342.htm