Hopefully, this will be a bridge between Vietnam and the world.

Preparing to return to Vietnam to work, Master's graduate Dao Manh Tri excitedly shared: "I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity and conditions to accumulate knowledge and skills, and I want to apply them to serve my homeland."

THE TALENT OF VIETNAMESE DOCTORAL STUDENTS

Dao Manh Tri (28 years old), a PhD student at the Power Transformation Lab, University of California-San Diego (UCSD), USA, recently won first prize in the American Energy Economics Association competition and second prize in the Geothermal Collegiate Competition of the US Department of Energy, both on the topic of geothermal energy development. These are significant milestones on his journey and that of his team (including four PhD students), not only because of the achievements but also because of the social significance behind them.

According to Tri, when participating in a competition organized by the U.S. Department of Energy, recognizing the imbalance in the utilization of energy policies, particularly the disadvantages faced by remote and suburban cities, his team proposed and contacted Cascade City, Idaho (USA) to support the development of a geothermal energy project to provide heat for approximately 2,800 residents. The team's proposal projected an investment of $11 million, which included a grant already approved by the U.S. Department of Energy for the city.

Dao Manh Tri (second from left) with colleagues at the Technology, Data and Policy Workshop at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In the coming days, the group will travel to Cascade at the invitation of the city mayor to engage with stakeholders and continue supporting the residents.

"For me, achieving recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy as a Vietnamese doctoral student is an acknowledgment of my efforts to develop Vietnamese intellectual capabilities on the international stage. Participating in this project, along with my experiences at international conferences like COP28, has helped me realize that my expertise can be applied broadly, addressing technical system issues while ensuring community values. Through my story, I hope to inspire young people to proactively and boldly participate in practical projects to bring tangible value to society," said Master's student Dao Manh Tri.

PASSIONATE ABOUT ENERGY ISSUES IN VIETNAM

Dao Manh Tri, a Master's graduate, was featured in a previous Thanh Nien newspaper article. He graduated from high school in Singapore with an A*STAR scholarship and earned a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Technology from Drexel University (USA). He then excelled in securing a PhD scholarship from Vingroup , worth approximately 10 billion VND. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Power Transformation Lab, University of California-San Diego (UCSD), USA. He continues his research on energy transition in the US, Vietnam, and several Southeast Asian countries. He frequently travels between the US and Asia to collect data and meet with experts and partners.

In the summer of 2024, he and his colleagues from the lab in the US undertook a field trip to share their research and projects with stakeholders in the US, Indonesia, Vietnam, and China. The team participated in meetings and discussions with individuals and organizations from Princeton University, MIT, the Indonesian Electricity Authority, the Indonesian JETP Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme, the Danish Energy Agency, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and others.

Master's degree holder Dao Manh Tri hopes to contribute to global efforts in responding to climate change.

Simultaneously, Dao Manh Tri is conducting research to develop an open model for analyzing electricity sector development scenarios coupled with emission reduction targets. He is also in the process of conceptualizing a study on interconnected power grids in Southeast Asia, aiming to support higher operational efficiency and help achieve the region's emission reduction goals. In addition, he is working on optimizing investment options for community-based wind and solar power, ensuring equity for low-income earners. Dao Manh Tri plans to develop a theoretical framework with his colleagues and then apply it to different geographical regions, including Vietnam.

Soon, Tri will return to Vietnam to work. "I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity and conditions to accumulate knowledge and skills, and I want to apply them to serve my homeland," he affirmed.

"I have always wanted to promote international cooperation and strengthen Vietnam's position in global dialogues on climate and environment. I hope I can be a bridge between Vietnam and the world , helping to exchange knowledge, skills, and resources, and expanding international partnerships and cooperation in this field. My goal is not only to contribute to Vietnam's economic and social development but also to global efforts in responding to climate change," he expressed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/toa-sang-theo-cach-rieng-mong-la-cau-noi-giua-vn-va-the-gioi-185240901194743936.htm