Refusing an invitation from an American university, a Korean 8X came to Vietnam to do a PhD.

On the day he finished defending his thesis, Ko Dong Hyun said he felt touched, grateful and proud. “This journey is not only about my academic growth but also enriching my life experience,” said Ko, the first Korean to graduate with a doctorate from the University of Economics, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Living in the capital Seoul, Ko Dong Hyun graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree in the US (Photo: NVCC)

Living in Seoul, South Korea, Ko Dong Hyun graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree in Labor and Employment Relations from Rutgers University (New Jersey, USA). In 2017, while working at Dongduk Women's University (South Korea), he came to Vietnam for the first time to participate in the Korea Day event in Quang Nam province. Visiting many places such as Hanoi, Ha Long, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, the Korean guy was attracted by the education system and academic potential here.

Before that, when studying in the US, Mr. Ko had a very close Vietnamese friend, considered as a brother. “That friend taught me many things about the customs and warmth of the people here. It was also through him that I realized the kindness and generosity, which are typical of Vietnamese culture. I felt a natural connection with this country even before setting foot here,” he said.

That connection and love urged him to think about studying for a PhD in Vietnam.

“At that time, my dream was to become the Minister of Labor. I wanted to research labor and employment policies in Vietnam, because I saw the potential of the dynamic labor market and the strong, incredible development of this economy. That motivated me to come here, even though this path may be difficult and unconventional.”

Mr. Ko is teaching and managing projects at the University of Foreign Languages ​​(Vietnam National University, Hanoi) (Photo: NVCC)

He also considered this a “transformative” decision. After submitting his resignation, he booked a flight to Hanoi. Many friends and colleagues expressed concern because at that time, he had received invitations to study for a doctorate from many schools in more developed countries such as the US.

“Everyone thought it was a risky decision, even reckless. At that time, I was 36 years old and this was probably a very big change in my career,” he said.

However, his parents supported and respected his decision. Mr. Ko believes that, amidst many doubts, his parents' support became a strong support for him to overcome the challenge.

In October 2018, Mr. Ko officially pursued a PhD in International Economics at the University of Economics, Vietnam National University, Hanoi - an environment "suitable for the research direction I am pursuing".

Mr. Ko said he did not encounter any major difficulties while studying in Vietnam. His experience living in many countries and traveling to many places helped him adapt and integrate naturally into life here.

Language is also not a barrier because both teachers and students use English. Therefore, Mr. Ko can fully focus on research and academic goals.

Mr. Ko assessed that Vietnam is doing well in resolving issues related to labor relations and employment, but still faces challenges due to urbanization and environmental degradation. To resolve these issues, green growth and sustainable development are important tasks.

Therefore, his research interests include green growth and sustainable development, and in-depth analysis of Korea’s green growth policies and their policy implications for Vietnam. He hopes to provide policymakers, scholars, and industry leaders with a comprehensive view of Korea’s green growth strategies.

During the period 2022-2024, Mr. Ko has many research works published in international journals. In addition, he is completing a number of books, expected to be published in early 2025.

Mr. Ko with teachers in Vietnam (Photo: NVCC)

Currently, Mr. Ko is a project manager at the Center for International Educational Technology Cooperation of the University of Foreign Languages ​​(Vietnam National University, Hanoi). In addition, he teaches a number of subjects related to Korean economics and politics.

Completing his PhD in Vietnam, he said, was not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of dreams. “Vietnam has become my second home and the place that shaped the next journey of my life,” he said.

From his experiences while studying for his PhD in Vietnam, Mr. Ko said he has changed his goal, returning to Korea to work in an organization related to the environment or climate, such as the Ministry of Environment.

“It will be a long journey, but I hope to have the opportunity to apply what I have learned in Vietnam in Korea, and at the same time contribute to promoting deeper cooperation between the two countries in areas of action related to climate change, sustainable development and green growth,” Dr. Ko shared.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tu-choi-thu-moi-cua-dai-hoc-my-8x-han-quoc-toi-viet-nam-lam-tien-si-2341640.html