Vietnamese aspirations in Europe

Behind the enthusiasm, straightforwardness, and gentle appearance of this young man born in the 1990s lies a remarkable will to succeed and admirable inner strength.

At Queen Mary University in London – a renowned British institution known for its high-quality education and research – there is a young Vietnamese associate professor of applied macroeconomic analysis. That is Huynh Luu Duc Toan (from Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province).

Reaching your dreams

It's no exaggeration to say that Toan has had a spectacular journey from nothing to remarkable milestones. He holds a Master's degree in Economics and Commerce from the Toulouse School of Economics, University of Toulouse 1 Capitole (valedictorian); a Master's degree in Finance and Commerce from the Institute of Management, University of Nantes (with honors); and a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of York (with honors). In 2022, Toan completed his PhD program with distinction at the WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management (Germany).

Huynh Luu Duc Toan (second from the left) has had a persistent journey of effort to prove himself and inspire many people.

Few people know that Toan once failed his first-choice university application. At the age of 18, it was a shock, as Toan was a student from a specialized high school, carrying the expectations of his mother, a teacher. But this early failure also became the key to a brighter future, because Toan didn't give up! He entered university through his second choice and spent years in the lecture halls. He was passionate about studying and worked various part-time jobs: from serving at restaurants, delivering goods, translating… and enriching his life through volunteer projects. Graduating as valedictorian in Business Administration from the Foreign Trade University in 2002, a bright future opened up when Toan was accepted into a large auditing firm. But his passion for academics and desire to share led Toan to become a lecturer at the Banking University. Toan proved that a low starting point is not a barrier to reaching one's dreams. He now not only works at a prestigious university in England but is also a researcher and visiting scholar at the Central Bank of Finland. At the age of 35, Toan is also the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Journal of Economic and Business Studies and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Evaluation Review.

Never forget your roots.

That's something everyone can sense when talking to Toan. He shows his love for his homeland with all his heart and through concrete actions.

For Duc Toan, the most priceless gift is seeing his students achieve success.

Many of Toan's works are of significant importance to Vietnam. Despite his busy schedule, he is always ready to act as a bridge, bringing global knowledge to students in the country. Toan has excelled in his role as a mentor – a dedicated and responsible leader. Under his guidance, many young people have successfully secured prestigious international scholarships, soaring to greater heights. Regardless of geographical distance, he is also willing to contribute to domestic conferences and projects… as long as they benefit the academic community.

Huynh Luu Duc Toan made many important contributions in the fields of applied economics, political economy, behavioral economics, and financial economics.

It would perhaps be dry and superficial to only mention Toan along with his impressive list of achievements. He is loved and trusted by many teachers and colleagues for his humble, upright lifestyle and compassionate soul. Dr. Pham Hiep (co-Head of the Research Group on Educational Science and Policy - University of Education - Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that his biggest impression of Toan is his diligence: "Toan is very intelligent. But it's even more wonderful that such an intelligent person also has a diligent and serious work ethic. Toan is at his peak and is a promising name in the international research community in his field." Toan is always serious with himself; in 2020, even while in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he still focused on research and published an article in an international journal.

Whether working domestically or in a multicultural environment, Toan always dedicates himself wholeheartedly to creating the most practical values. He teaches at a school where many students are first-time immigrants attending university. They come from all countries and regions, with diverse backgrounds, education levels, and goals. Toan not only teaches but also maintains an open mind, readily listening, understanding, and learning from them. The positive feedback from students reflects not only his teaching abilities but also contains a deep appreciation, gratitude, and a valuable connection between teacher and students. "Witnessing the changes brought about by education—improving the quality of life for individuals, their families, and society as a whole—that is my happiness," Toan shared.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/khat-vong-viet-giua-troi-au-196250621200919906.htm