Vietnamese teachers shine at the world's number 1 educational institute

In the capital of London, the UK, where modern life meets long-standing academic values, University College London (UCL) stands out as a symbol of global knowledge.

Part of UCL, the Institute of Education (IOE) has maintained its position as the world's number one institution in education for 12 consecutive years, becoming the destination for those with aspirations for research, teaching and innovation. This is a center of far-reaching educational research, known as the "heart" of global educational thinking.

This year, among thousands of IOE students from more than 150 countries and territories, there are 3 teachers from Vietnam who are persistently writing their journey. They came there to find the answer to a big question: How can Vietnamese education develop sustainably, fairly and integrate in the era of globalization, the era of artificial intelligence (AI)?

Ms. Nguyen Nha Uyen, the youngest PhD student at the Institute of Education (IOE) at UCL

Photo: NVCC

TELLING STORIES IN THE LANGUAGE OF KNOWLEDGE

Once a copywriter at one of the world's most prestigious advertising corporations, Tran Thu Huong, 30, deeply understands the power of words to touch people's hearts. But then she chose to leave the world of branding to find a "brand of knowledge", where each lesson is written with inspiration and belief in human learning ability.

Graduating with honors in communications from RMIT University and English language from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), Thu Huong excellently won the full IOE Centenary scholarship to study for a Master of English Teaching (MA TESOL) at UCL.

Her many years of experience in the creative industry help her bring a different spirit to the classroom, where writing is not just a skill, but a way of thinking and self-discovery. In class, she combines storytelling and mind mapping to help students organize ideas, develop critical thinking and find their own voice in English.

Thu Huong believes that the new generation of teachers must be lifelong learners and play the role of life-long learner inspiration. Therefore, she considers each class as a creative workshop, where students can try, make mistakes, laugh and grow with knowledge.

Ms. Tran Thu Huong is studying at UCL

Photo: NVCC

"I always believe that education is not only about imparting knowledge but also about bringing life to learning, so that each person always feels like they are living, developing and being seen," she confided.

GLOBAL ACADEMIC DIALOGUE

At the age of 26, Ms. Nguyen Nha Uyen is the youngest doctoral candidate of IOE. Previously, she graduated with honors with a master's degree in education from this institute with a GREAT Scholarship, being among the top students of her class. She was the valedictorian of the high-quality program of the English Pedagogy Faculty, University of Foreign Languages, Vietnam National University, Hanoi and has had many research works published at international conferences and scientific journals.

Currently, she is teaching the subject "Human Rights and Education" for postgraduates at UCL, and representing the institute in many large-scale international academic conferences, such as the Philosophy of Education Conference (PES) in Baltimore (USA); the Global Education Conference (ANGEL) in Berlin (Germany); the Science and Technology Education Conference (ESERA) in Denmark, or the conference of the British Educational Research Association (BERA)... These events bring together scholars, leaders and UN representatives from more than 60 countries and territories.

She also represented the institute at the science summer school at Beijing Normal University (China) and Spain, contributing to promoting East-West academic dialogue in the field of sustainable education.

In these forums, Ms. Uyen is not only a researcher, but also a Vietnamese voice, bringing Asian experiences, identity, and perspectives to global academic dialogues.

Mr. Le Hoang Phong is studying at UCL

Photo: NVCC

THE TEACHER FROM ADVERSITY TO MISSION

Born an orphan at just 24 days old and completely losing contact with his family, teacher Le Hoang Phong (33 years old) has gone on a long journey to become a Chevening scholar at UCL for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Before coming here to study for a master's degree in educational leadership, Mr. Phong received unconditional admission letters from many of the world's leading universities, including the University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League, USA) with a scholarship of nearly 900 million VND; London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE - London School of Economics and Political Science), the UK's No. 1 in social policy; Stockholm University (Sweden) - one of Europe's prestigious centers for educational and social welfare research...

As the founder of YOUREORG, he initiated the Breakthrough IELTS: From Adversity to Achievement program, supporting more than 1,600 disadvantaged students across the country to reach international study opportunities in the past 5 years.

In addition, as a member of the Organizing Committee of the Teach For All Global Principals Network, Mr. Phong and his colleagues organized a field study program in Chile, where educational leaders from 63 countries and territories discussed Instructional Leadership - an approach that helps teachers and students develop together in a learning environment of trust and compassion...

Education is how we create a more humane world for those who come after us.

In the middle of London winter, three Vietnamese teachers brought with them the warmth of their homeland, the faith of the new generation and a common aspiration: to bring Vietnamese education into the dialogue of humanity.

When the school drums sound in Vietnam every November 20th, at the UCL lecture hall, those teachers are trying to continue writing the story of the teaching profession, using the language of knowledge, gratitude, and the desire for change. For them, education is not a destination but a way to build a more humane world for those who come after.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thay-co-giao-viet-nam-toa-sang-tai-vien-giao-duc-so-1-the-gioi-185251115184434633.htm