"Switching" to engineering, Ha Tinh female student shines with national science award

Female student Nguyen Thi Khanh Dieu is the valedictorian of the 15th course, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics, Phenikaa University. *(Photo: NVCC)*

Nguyen Thi Khanh Dieu (born in 2003, from Thach Ha commune, Ha Tinh ) was the valedictorian of block D of Ly Tu Trong High School and passed the Finance - Banking major of Foreign Trade University with 28 points. However, instead of following the planned path, Khanh Dieu surprised many people when she decided to change direction to Biomedical Engineering at Phenikaa University, with a full scholarship from her valedictorian achievement in the Faculty of Electrical - Electronics.

“The decision to change direction came from curiosity and the desire to explore . When faced with choosing a major, I realized that I did not want to stop at theory but wanted to create products that were truly useful for life, especially in the biomedical field,” Khanh Dieu shared.

It was that decision that led the female student from Ha Tinh to the world of components, circuits and electromagnetic waves, concepts that she had never touched before.

The first days at Phenikaa University were quite a challenge for Khanh Dieu. “It was a real shock when I had to learn almost from scratch – from electromagnetism, circuit simulation to programming,” she said. But instead of giving up, the female student chose to persevere every day.

Khanh Dieu and his friends are passionate about exploring science and technology. *(Photo: NVCC)*

Coming from a background in Biomedical Engineering, Dieu came to the field of antennas quite by chance. During a class, Khanh Dieu met an instructor who helped her open up a completely new direction. Gradually, she realized the interesting connection between biomedical majors and antenna design, especially when compact, high-performance antennas can be integrated into wearable devices or medical sensors.

“Science and technology are the bridge that helps bring technology closer to human health and that is the reason why I am attached to this field,” Dieu said.

When she started to simulate the first antenna design, Dieu encountered countless difficulties from knowledge base to psychological pressure. The frequencies were constantly wrong, the radiation was weak, and the antenna did not even resonate as in theory. But, instead of being discouraged, she persevered and tried dozens of times, adjusting each small parameter.

Dieu’s first work was then presented at an international scientific conference – also the first time she flew on a plane, the first time she stood in front of professors, doctors and researchers from home and abroad. “I was so nervous that my voice was lost, my hands were cold, I was afraid I would forget what I was going to say. But when I finished the presentation, I felt relieved and happy because I had overcome myself,” Dieu said.

During her time studying at Phenikaa University, Nguyen Thi Khanh Dieu made her mark with a series of outstanding achievements: main author of 3 international scientific conference articles and co-author of 2 others; first prize in the "Phenikaa Students with Creative and Start-up Ideas 2022" Contest; third prize in the school-level individual competition of the 2022 Student Mathematical Olympiad; top 50 of the 2022 Health Hackathon International Programming Competition and many other awards from groups and associations...

Khanh Dieu enthusiastically participates in many competitions and activities of the Youth Union and Association. (Photo: NVCC)

Not only possessing excellent academic achievements, Dieu is also an active Youth Union officer, Vice Chairman of the Startup - Innovation Club (IEC), Advisory Board of the M&E Club, Executive Committee Member of the Youth Union of the Faculty of Electrical - Electronics, Party Committee Member of the Engineering - Technology Sector for the 2025-2027 term...

“It is not easy to balance between studying, researching and working with the Youth Union, but I always consider this activity as a way to “recharge my batteries”. Meeting and working with people in meaningful programs helps me to be more motivated to study and research,” Dieu shared.

For Khanh Dieu, the biggest challenge is not only knowledge but also the prejudice that “engineering is for men”. She affirmed: “If you are passionate and serious enough to pursue it, gender is not a limit. I have never thought I was inferior, I just think that I need to try harder to prove that female students can also succeed in this field”.

It was that spirit that helped Khanh Dieu become one of 20 outstanding female students nationwide to receive the “Vietnam Female Science and Technology Student 2025” Award. “This award is not only an honor, but also a recognition of my persistent efforts throughout my journey of studying and researching; it is a source of motivation for me to continue trying and spreading inspiration to other female friends - that girls can absolutely do science, be creative and shine in the field of engineering if they are passionate and persistent enough,” Dieu said.

Khanh Dieu is honored to be one of 20 outstanding female students nationwide to receive the "Vietnam Female Science and Technology Student 2025" Award. *(Photo: NVCC)*

In the future, Khanh Dieu hopes to continue to conduct further research, expand the application of antennas in the biomedical field, and at the same time, nurture the intention to pursue an international academic path. “I am still on the journey to find my passion and the most suitable direction for myself, because I want to stick with the field that I truly love for a long time,” she confided.

Khanh Dieu shared that the person who has had the greatest influence on her is her older sister - the one who taught her since she was 5 years old, guided her in choosing a major, choosing a school, and always encouraged her whenever she was uncertain. "She is not only an inspiration but also a silent companion throughout my journey of growing up," Dieu said.

To the girls who are pursuing their dreams in the field of science and technology, Khanh Dieu said: “Science is not as dry or distant as we think. As long as you have passion and dare to start, everyone can find joy in the journey of discovering knowledge. The important thing is not to go faster than anyone else, but to go further than yourself every day, step by step. Just being a little better today than yesterday is enough,” Dieu said with a smile.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/re-ngang-nganh-ky-thuat-nu-sinh-ha-tinh-toa-sang-voi-giai-thuong-khoa-hoc-toan-quoc-post299400.html