Confidently venturing out into the open sea.

For Khanh Ngoc, her journey to maturity is the result of self-effort and a relentless spirit of learning.

Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngoc (born in 2006, from Nghe An province ), a former student of Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted (formerly Vinh City, Nghe An province), had intended to study abroad after graduating from university. However, a turning point came sooner when she became a student at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) - a milestone that marked the beginning of many breakthroughs.

Ready to face the challenge

Ngoc is one of 20 young Vietnamese people who received a full scholarship from HKU. This is a special honor because, with a history spanning over a century, HKU has affirmed its position as a prestigious university (ranked 2nd in Asia and 11th in the world, according to the global education ranking organization Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)).

Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngoc was chosen to represent nearly a thousand young people from 53 countries and deliver a speech at the closing ceremony of the international exchange program at Fudan University (Shanghai, China). (Photo provided by the subject)

Ngoc's dream of making her mark on the international academic map was shaped from a young age. During her high school years, as class president, she excelled at organizing events, taking charge of tasks, and fostering teamwork. She consistently demonstrated a dynamic and active spirit, contributing to numerous projects. She served as the Head of the Organizing Committee for the Imaras Project volunteer group (sponsored by the Nghe An Provincial Red Cross), the Head of Communications for the Psychology Club, and participated in sex education for children with disabilities. "Each experience motivates me to demonstrate greater social responsibility. I believe it's an opportunity for young people to improve themselves, live meaningful lives, and promote and spread positive values," Ngoc shared.

Ngoc possesses an IELTS score of 7.5, a SAT score of 1350, the title of "Outstanding Student" at the national level, second prize in the provincial-level excellent student competition, second prize in the provincial-level science and technology competition; she graduated with a degree in Western musical instrument performance from Nghe An College of Culture and Arts, and has received other awards. Ngoc meticulously prepared herself not only to appear as a qualified candidate but also to showcase her unique personal story through each interview round at HKU.

Joining HKU – one of the leading universities in the region – opened valuable doors for Ngoc, leading her down a path that, while challenging, is incredibly rewarding and exciting.

Leaving home for the first time at 18, she became independent. Her impressive collection of awards and titles from local to national levels throughout her years of study is a memorable asset, but it's not enough. Her studious spirit and courage are the keys to building her inner strength. From her initial unfamiliar beginnings to making her mark in many activities, gaining the favor of teachers and friends from all over... this is the result of her dedicated efforts, always ready to face challenges. This Gen Z girl reminds herself that her family is always her support system so she's not alone. The multicultural environment of HKU, with its entirely English-language curriculum and vibrant life in a renowned economic zone, helped Ngoc discover herself and further hone her character. She honed her sharp critical thinking skills and was inspired by the positive competitive spirit of her talented and enthusiastic classmates from many countries.

Developing a global citizen mindset.

Concluding her first year of study, Ngoc eagerly filled her summer with meaningful choices. Beginning with a trip in May 2025 to Dong Ao, Yilan Country (Taiwan, China), she and her friends researched the nature-connected lifestyle and sustainable practices of the Atayal community (one of the ethnic minority groups there), proposing solutions to improve their lives. In June, Ngoc took on the role of coordinator for the "Global Leadership Skills Development" program in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As the team leader, she worked directly in the local community, honing her negotiation and management skills and shaping her managerial mindset.

Khanh Ngoc (wearing a white hat and a short black dress) attends the HKU scholarship award ceremony with the Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong, Le Duc Hanh.

In July, Ngoc received a scholarship for an international summer exchange program at Fudan University (Shanghai, China). For four weeks, she and over 900 international students from 170 universities worldwide attended high-quality classes in economics, finance, and culture. Additionally, from May to August, Ngoc participated in the ASEAN Youth Organization's Launchpad Academy Cohort 2025 online program to develop her business, entrepreneurship, and data analysis skills through workshops and group challenge simulations.

During her brief time back in Vietnam, Ngoc managed to complete an internship at an accounting and finance firm before returning to school for the new academic year. For Ngoc, the more diverse the environment, the more opportunities young people have to connect with large organizations, and outstanding achievements will make a strong impression on recruiters.

"Opportunities only truly come when we dare to try and are not afraid of failure. Traveling to many places, besides learning, I also enjoy the pace of life and expand my network. Most importantly, it helps me develop a global citizen mindset: an open attitude towards life, respect for differences, a multi-faceted perspective, and a willingness to take risks," Ngoc emphasized.

Mr. Vu Hai Truong (University Admissions Office at HKU) commented: Ngoc has performed well since high school and is fully capable of developing her abilities when entering prestigious universities in Vietnam. The outstanding achievements of international students like Ngoc are proof that HKU has a clearer understanding of the potential of Vietnamese youth. It is not an exaggeration to say that Ngoc and other talented individuals from our country are compelling educational ambassadors, giving HKU the confidence to continue to pay attention to and favor Vietnamese students, opening more doors of opportunity for them to study and grow at one of the world's leading universities.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tu-tin-ra-bien-lon-196250823201745805.htm