Australian Government Scholarships are an opportunity to connect the minds and peoples of the two countries.

Let's talk with Dr. Tran Nam Nghiep, Senior Lecturer, Deputy Head of International Cooperation Department (Southeast Asia), University of Adelaide, Australia.

- Australian government scholarships are known to be highly competitive. How did your journey to get your hands on this prestigious scholarship go?

In September 2011, after completing my Master's degree in Chemical Systems Engineering at the University of Tokyo (Japan), I returned to continue teaching at Can Tho University. In addition to teaching, I also participated in a number of basic research projects and had the opportunity to hear about sustainable development orientations in the Mekong Delta region.

During a conference, I came across the Australian Government Scholarship program – then known as the Australian Development Scholarships (ADS). I attended an introduction session organized by the Australian Development Scholarships in Vietnam (ASDiV), and from that moment, a new opportunity opened up in my career.

To be honest, at that time I didn’t know much about Australia. But I was very impressed by the generosity of the program: funding for English language study in the country, financial support upon arrival in Australia, tuition fees, living expenses, insurance, and even an annual air ticket to visit family.

In particular, in the list of priority areas, there is the field of sustainable development, a direction that I always believe will play a key role in Vietnam's future development.

However, with my limited English, I was not very confident when submitting my application. However, surprisingly, in June 2012, I received an invitation to an interview. At that time, my husband and I were raising two very young twins, and we had almost no time to prepare.

As a result, I only stopped at the reserve list of 20 people, and only had a chance to move on if someone refused the scholarship to Australia.

Dr. Tran Nam Nghiep and his wife, Dr. Doan Thi Truc Linh, at the 2013 Australian Government Scholarship award ceremony.

At that time, I almost lost hope because this was one of the most competitive scholarships. I proactively looked for another direction, asked for more advice from teachers and colleagues, and was lucky to receive a PhD scholarship in composite materials for excellent candidates from KU Leuven University, Belgium. I was about to sign the admission confirmation, thinking that the path was predetermined.

However, life always has surprises at the last minute. In February 2013, I received an email from ASDiV informing me that I had been awarded an Australian Government scholarship. At that moment, joy exploded, like a dream suddenly revived, rekindling my desire to research and contribute to the field of science and technology development, serving the sustainable development orientation of my homeland.

And so, I chose Australia. With faith, gratitude and a dream of studying, I began my PhD journey in Sustainable Chemical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, which opened a new chapter in my life and career.

- How has studying in Australia helped your daily work?

In January 2014, I officially enrolled at the University of Adelaide, one of the top 8 universities in Australia. The first days in a foreign land were not easy. With limited English skills, I struggled to communicate with professors and international friends.

One time, while I was enthusiastically presenting, I suddenly realized that the entire council was looking at me with wide eyes, not understanding what I was saying. That feeling was so embarrassing that I just wanted to… bury myself in the ground.

But from those initial difficulties, I received enthusiastic support from my supervisors and my research group members. They patiently listened, encouraged, and showed me every expression and every small skill. Thanks to that, I gradually regained my confidence, integrated better, and expanded my knowledge and valuable experience.

One thing that impressed me deeply was the student-centered teaching method. In it, students are not just passive recipients of knowledge, but are always encouraged to participate, debate and be creative. This approach strongly inspired me and helped me change my teaching thinking later on.

In addition to studying, I was also encouraged to participate in community activities. In May 2014, I founded the Vietnamese Students Association at the University of Adelaide with other international students and was honored to serve as President for the second term. It was not only an experience of community engagement, but also helped me develop my leadership, organizational and networking skills.

All of these assets, from knowledge, research skills, teaching methods to community experience, have become valuable foundations, helping me confidently continue teaching and researching at the University of Adelaide after completing my PhD program.

Dr. Tran Nam Nghiep was honored to be given the task of holding the golden baton at the doctoral graduation ceremony with his supervisor, Prof. Yung Ngothai, and his family in 2018.

- What inspiration will winning the Australian Alumni Awards 2025 bring to your future work?

Being recognised at the 2025 Australian Alumni Awards is a great inspiration for me to continue to strive for greater heights in my education and research career. The award is not only a recognition of my past contributions, but also a motivation for me to expand the scope of international cooperation, especially in the Southeast Asia region, where I believe that knowledge engagement will bring lasting value to Vietnam, Australia and other countries in the region.

A recent example is my leadership of the Australia Awards Fellowship “Academic Skills Development in a Digital World” at the University of Adelaide, which brought together 15 outstanding scholars from 10 leading universities in India, Malaysia and the Philippines for an intensive training course on digital transformation in teaching, research and university governance.

This is not only a capacity development activity, but also a platform to build sustainable partnerships in education, engineering and applied science, and contribute to strengthening the relationship between Australia and countries in the region.

It is these experiences that help me realize that the greatest success of each individual lies not in the title, but in the ability to create a bridge of knowledge and cooperation opportunities for the community. And that will also be the direction I pursue in the next stages.

It is a great honour for me to be awarded the 2025 Australian Alumni Award in the field of Knowledge Building and People Engagement by the Australian Embassy and Aus4Skills.

This is not only a recognition for personal efforts, but also a respect for the collective, colleagues, friends, students and community that have always accompanied me throughout the past journey, mainly colleagues and partners in Vietnam.

Dr. Tran Nam Nghiep brings a group of Australian students to study and exchange culture with Vietnamese students in 2023. (Photo taken at the temple of King Ly Thai To)

- In your opinion, as an Australian alumni, what will you contribute to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries?

As an Australian alumnus, I have always seen myself as a bridge to contribute to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. In my current role at the University of Adelaide as Associate Dean for International Relations (Southeast Asia), my contributions focus on education, scientific research, technology development and innovation.

Specifically, I am promoting joint training programs, academic exchanges, joint research and industrial cooperation between universities, research institutes and enterprises of Vietnam and Australia.

These activities not only help improve the quality of human resources, but also directly contribute to the strategic priorities of the two countries such as green energy transition, sustainable development, semiconductor technology and cybersecurity.

In addition to the academic field, as President of the South Australian Branch of the Vietnam-Australia Association of Intellectuals and Experts (VASEA), I also strive to create many spaces to connect the community, connecting young intellectuals and experts of the two countries to jointly initiate practical initiatives and spread the value of bilateral cooperation.

This September, I will organize a working trip with partners in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, including leading experts in many fields that Vietnam is prioritizing, including Professor David Lewis, Head of the School of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Adelaide, an expert passionate about Vietnam.

We expect to actively contribute to the orientation of human resource and science and technology development according to the Project on developing a system of excellent training centers and talents in technology 4.0 by 2030 (Decision 374/QD-TTg) of the Vietnamese Government.

I believe that the engagement of the Australian alumni community will continue to be an important resource to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia.

Dr. Tran Nam Nghiep and the executive board of the Vietnam - Australia Intellectuals and Experts Association took a souvenir photo with Ambassador Pham Hung Tam at the launching ceremony of the Vietnam - Australia Branch in March 2025.

- What is your most memorable memory in Australia?

In early 2014, I left my family for Australia, leaving my wife and children behind. During the most uncertain days in a foreign land, I registered to participate in a host family program for international students and was fortunate to be taken in by an Australian family.

They welcomed me with warm meals, trips here and there and believed that international students like us would bring future value to Australia.

Until now, I still remember clearly the first intimate meal in Adelaide between a Western guy and an all-Australian family, including two children who knew nothing about Vietnam but were still extremely friendly with the international student.

I appreciate the Australian people's kindness to international students in general and Vietnamese students in particular, who have created conditions for us to study, develop our careers and contribute to the common prosperity of our two countries.

And that is why, despite being busy with a thousand things, my wife and I still welcome international students from Vietnam to Adelaide, even though we do not know them. We use our own money to help them with a small gift bag including rice, fish sauce, salt, bowls, and plates to help them during their first time in Adelaide, when they are not yet used to life in Australia.

To this day, we still maintain the traditional year-end meal with braised pork, pickled onions and bitter melon soup, to help the children feel less homesick and have the opportunity to celebrate the traditional Tet of the nation. And fortunately, many young people in the group have had initial success in Adelaide and come back to help the newcomers as we have done for the past 10 years.

Dr. Tran Nam Nghiep and his Australian host family in his early days in Adelaide.

- What is your advice to future international students studying in Australia?

If there is one thing I would like to tell students preparing to study abroad in Australia, it is: Go with an open heart and a willingness to learn.

The first days will certainly not be easy due to language barriers, cultural differences, new learning environments and methods, especially the loneliness of living far away from family – but don’t be discouraged and don’t be too hasty, most of the sweet fruits are the result of a long process of training and striving.

Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, connect, participate in community activities, improve soft skills, believe in your own values and have a clear direction for the next 3 or 5 years.

Initial success comes not only from academic results, but also from the ability to adapt, share and connect. Be brave to overcome difficulties, avoid temptations when living far from family, and proactively expand relationships - because that is the key to finding career opportunities that match your expertise.

And finally, when you have achieved certain results, remember to connect and contribute back to your homeland, because that is how we spread knowledge and create sustainable values for ourselves and the community.

Bao Chau

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/hoc-bong-chinh-phu-australia-la-co-hoi-de-ket-noi-tri-thuc-va-nhan-dan-hai-nuoc-ar961783.html