A young PhD holder quits her job in the US and returns to Vietnam.

(VTC News) - Faced with many choices, PhD holder Can Tran Thanh Trung, born in the 1990s, still decided to return to Vietnam for work; for him, it was a decision that came from the heart.

Can Tran Thanh Trung, born in 1995, is a former student of the High School for the Gifted (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City). In 2013, he won a Gold Medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad in Colombia. He received a full scholarship to Duke University, one of the best universities in the United States. A decision from the heart: In 2018, Dr. Trung graduated with honors in Mathematics from Duke University. He then continued his studies at a higher level. Immediately after successfully defending his doctoral dissertation in Mathematics at the California Institute of Technology, USA, he returned to Vietnam.

*Dr. Can Tran Thanh Trung. (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)*

The 29-year-old PhD surprised many with this decision. A successful career and a comfortable life in the US are the dreams of many young people, but he didn't see it that way. While overseas is a place to learn and accumulate knowledge and experience, Vietnam is where Dr. Trung truly wants to return to live and contribute. "Returning to work in my homeland is a decision from the heart," he said, explaining the reasons that motivated his return. The young PhD stated that directly contributing to the development of his homeland holds great significance in his life. Dr. Trung recognizes that his field of study, Mathematics and Applications, has great potential for development in Vietnam. Mathematical calculations and theories are the foundation for technological breakthroughs like AI and blockchain. He said that Vietnam has a tradition of loving mathematics, enjoying research, and has many talented individuals eager to learn. These promising individuals, if properly trained in both professional skills and soft skills, and guided in their development according to their abilities and job opportunities, will surely bear fruit. The young PhD wants to accompany and support the next generations on that journey. "I returned to Vietnam with a spirit of learning and entrepreneurship, adapting to circumstances," said the young PhD holder. He believes that changing to a completely different work environment is a good opportunity to further hone his knowledge and skills. Since his time as a student in the US, Trung has harbored the dream of returning to contribute to the country. That desire has always been present in the heart of a patriotic son.

*Dr. Trung has achieved many outstanding accomplishments in the field of Mathematics. (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)*

Dr. Can also revealed that the reason that motivated him to return home so quickly was the family meals with simple dishes, rich in national identity. Fortunately for the young man, shortly after receiving his PhD, he was accepted into the VNU350 program – a program that attracts, retains, and develops 350 outstanding young scientists and leading experts working at the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.

Dr. Can Tran Thanh Trung returned to teaching and research at the University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. He was assigned a research topic and funding in the field of cryptography, security, and blockchain applications. With the support of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Trung realized his idea of establishing a training center for high school students to help them access new knowledge and study at leading universities around the world . Passionate about training and nurturing talent, Dr. Trung shared that since his university days, he has been passionate about training and guiding other students. For him, passing on knowledge and experience to others is incredibly meaningful. He carries out this "work" in many different forms. Dr. Trung doesn't remember exactly how many students and researchers he has trained and assisted in the field of mathematics. He remembers that teaching others is also a way for him to learn and improve, and even absorb many valuable things from them. Although he loves teaching, Trung admits he's not suited to being a high school teacher. In the summer of 2016, Dr. Trung and some friends founded the PiMA Mathematics group, whose main activity was running a summer camp, directly teaching and guiding students in Vietnam. Dr. Trung understands that students in Vietnam don't have as many opportunities for experiential learning and passion development as students in some other countries. He was overwhelmed when he first arrived in the US to study because of the advanced facilities there.

*The PiMA summer camp has become an ideal destination for students who love mathematics. (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)*

"Thanks to well-structured courses in both theory and application, opportunities for group projects, and research experiences with leading experts, I found the answer to the question 'Why study mathematics?' and gained the confidence to pursue my passion until now," Dr. Trung hopes that Vietnamese students will also experience similar things. With the PiMA Mathematics project, Dr. Trung hopes that the young generation of Vietnam can freely pursue their passions and develop their talents instead of studying for academic achievement. "Vietnamese students have potential that is no less than their peers in the US or other countries. Some can even be considered prodigies in the field of mathematics. If they are introduced to the applications of mathematics early on, and develop soft skills such as research, teamwork, and participation in the academic community, they will maximize their talents," Dr. Trung shared. After eight years of unwavering dedication to that passion, the PiMA summer camp, founded by Dr. Trung and his colleagues, has achieved great success and become a trusted place for teachers and parents alike. Sharing his future plans, Dr. Trung said he will continue to support the younger generation on their journey to conquer their passion for mathematics.

Comment (0)