Having just graduated with a degree in applied mathematics from the International University, Ho Chi Minh City National University in November 2024, Ton Nu Trieu Man said she received a scholarship to study for a PhD from the University of California (USA) worth about 8 billion VND.
Ton Nu Trieu Man just graduated with a degree in applied mathematics engineering from the International University, Ho Chi Minh City National University, in November 2024. Now she said she received a doctoral scholarship from the University of California (USA) worth about 8 billion VND - Photo: CONG TRIEU
Tuoi Tre Online had a quick chat with new engineer Ton Nu Trieu Man who just graduated with a near-perfect score of 92.4/100 points and received a scholarship to study straight for a PhD at the University of California (USA).
It is too late to apply for a scholarship after graduating.
* How did the idea and process of applying for a scholarship come to you?
- The decision to apply for a scholarship to study for a doctorate came to me quite late. Usually, if students have a plan, they have to prepare documents and procedures one or two years in advance. As for me, the decision came after graduation. Therefore, receiving a scholarship to study for a doctorate at the University of California was largely a matter of luck.
This luck started when I decided to study applied mathematics. I had accumulated quite a few "valuable first steps" during my 4-year journey as a student at the school, which was in the direction I wanted to pursue, so my profile stood out a bit more.
A big part of it is thanks to the help of my teachers at school. Not only did they write letters of recommendation, they also helped me contact professors in the US. There were many problems with the application process that I would never have been able to complete without them.
* That must be an expensive scholarship, from a prestigious university?
- I chose to study and currently work in Quantitative Finance. This is a field that requires people to have a high degree (PhD), thorough understanding, and in-depth expertise. I cannot help but continue studying and researching more, because clearly just studying at university is not enough.
When I started my journey to find a scholarship, I always decided to pursue a PhD, so I chose universities in the US and was lucky enough to find a suitable major at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA. The scholarship was worth about 8 billion VND.
I still have about half a year to prepare to fly to the US to start school (September). I am still trying to finish my work at a Vietnamese investment fund. After completing the handover, I will return to Hue to stay with my family for a few months before starting a new journey.
Ton Nu Trieu Man is a former physics student at Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted - Photo: CONG TRIEU
Former physics student studying math engineering
* Having studied physics at Quoc Hoc High School for the Gifted in Hue (Hue City), why did you graduate as a mathematical engineer?
- The transition from a "specialist" in physics to math was not too difficult for me because both subjects still focus on logic. The difficulty is the application from one field to another, between applying math to finance requires a lot of in-depth knowledge of both fields. Knowledge and creating a suitable problem for the problem that needs to be solved.
* Having been an excellent student for 12 years of school, you have now graduated with a degree in applied mathematics with a score that can be considered absolute. What is your secret?
- I think the most important thing in my way of learning is understanding the basics. When I go to class, I have to understand the basic knowledge that the teacher gives me first. I push myself to learn more deeply, how to use that knowledge...
The biggest challenge when studying my major is how to apply knowledge from mathematics to finance. Every time I have to create a problem, which means having a mathematical function. Like the time I did the profit optimization problem, the challenge was how to create that problem and solve it. So, I think the process of connecting basic knowledge and applying that knowledge is very important.
Therefore, the main learning method is to master all the basics. For example, from 10 theorems and laws in mathematics, I understand them well to connect them together, using those 10 theorems and laws to solve big problems and issues.
Impressive academic performance
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Minh Quan, Deputy Head of the Mathematics Department, International University (Ho Chi Minh City National University), shared that from the time he was a lecturer in statistics, he observed Trieu Man's excellent academic and research ability. Trieu Man's academic achievements are ranked third among all students who have graduated in applied mathematics in the past 11 years.
"I am deeply impressed with Man's sharp mathematical thinking, quick critical thinking and ability to apply mathematical concepts creatively. In class, you often ask extremely profound questions to better understand mathematical theorems and models, then find ways to apply them in practice," Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Minh Quan shared.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vua-tot-nghiep-dai-hoc-nu-ky-su-nhan-hoc-bong-thang-len-tien-si-o-my-20250213125107704.htm
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