"Put your heart and mind into the smallest things. That is the secret of success."
Dr. Duong Thi Thuy Van, Director of Applied Information Technology Center, Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) is a young lecturer who has received many scientific awards domestically and internationally. Last year, she was honored to be the first female Ph.D. holder in Vietnam to receive a patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The following interview between STDTC and Dr. Duong Thi Thuy Van is about her passion for teaching and scientific research.
STDTC: Hello Dr. Van Duong! STDTC would like to congratulate you on your recent achievements in teaching and researching. Which destiny brings you to education?
Dr. Van Duong: Thanks for the attention of the STDTC! When I was young, I liked to role-play teaching with my group of friends. My desire and wish as a teacher gradually became clearer. When I got the direct entry admission into the university, I initially chose Mathematics; but my teacher advised me to choose Information Technology, so that I could have teaching opportunities at the prestigious universities if I graduated with a First class. Thanks to that advice, I have been working as a TDTU lecturer.
STDTC: Not only a lecturer, you are also a researcher with many excellent achievements. Can you tell us more about your research interests?
Dr. Van Duong: In my work and daily life, I always wonder why people do so whenever I encounter problems. In case of solving those problems, how they can be solved much more effectively? That gradually motivates me to seek the answers. I want my research topics to be linked with the reality which provides solutions for some social needs.
STDTC: Awarded the outstanding Teacher of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) for 4 consecutive years (2014-2017) and the first female Ph.D. holder in Vietnam to own the USPTO Patent, how do you feel?
Dr. Van Duong: I am very touched, happy, and lucky because my efforts are recognized. It is not only my own honor, but also my team’s, and the workplace’s I am working for.
STDTC: As a successful woman in society, how do you balance your work and family?
Dr. Van Duong: Like the other women, I also have difficulties in effective time management. I always set priorities for each task I intend to do in the future so that I am able to avoid feeling overwhelmed and wasting time when I am in dilemma over task priority!
STDTC: How has the TDTU teaching environment helped you become a teacher, a researcher like today?
Dr. Van Duong: TDTU does not lack anything; everything is available to support researchers, lecturers, and students for the high quality of teaching and learning. I often tell the students that you have already been at TDTU, the only one thing you need to do is trying to learn; you do not need to worry about anything else.
STDTC: Do you have any messages or thoughts to share with colleagues, especially female colleagues, female students on the anniversary of 08/03/2018? What advice would they need to be as successful as you in the field supposed to be for men only?
Dr. Van Duong: I would like to send them my own life maxim: "Put your heart, your spirit into the smallest things .That is the secret of success." There are no occupations for men or women only. Especially, in terms of the information technology field, the carefulness of women is an advantage. Everyone should be confident and make endless efforts with passion. Wishing you always have energy, happiness and enthusiasm in the educational career; I wish the girls are always young, active and good at learning.
Clip: "Dr. Duong Thi Thuy Van, the Party building mirror at TDTU ".
Reported by People's Television
