President's Award winners urge graduates to maintain resolve

Tiếng Việt

President's Award winners urge graduates to maintain resolve

RMIT Vietnam graduates Phan Le Thanh Truc and Dang Nghinh Xuan were presented with the University’s prestigious President’s Award at graduation ceremonies last week.

The awards are a commendation of the students' academic prowess and outstanding service to the university community.

"We all know that the world out there is difficult and challenging," Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) graduate Phan Le Thanh Truc said during her acceptance speech at the University’s Saigon South campus.

"The competition is tough and fierce, yet the opportunities are endless for anyone who would never stop trying, learning and moving forward."

Phan Le Thanh Truc accepts the President’s Award at the 2016 graduation ceremonies.

Truc's challenges emerged before she started her journey at RMIT Vietnam. Due to financial constraints, she applied for the RMIT President's Scholarship but was not accepted on her first attempt. This did not hinder her determination.

"That failure didn’t defeat me; by contrast, I took it as a motivation to resiliently improve myself both academically and socially so that one year later, I reapplied and was honourably awarded the 100-percent-tuition-fee scholarship to eventually become a part of RMIT Vietnam," Truc said.

"Without my determination, perseverance and resilience, there would be no me like today."

Truc was able to prevail over the major financial obstacles during her studies and her inexorable attitude saw her complete her degree with distinction. Her commitment to the University resulted in her positions as a core member of SAT, Golden Key and the President of the RMIT Business club.

Dang Nghinh Xuan's story is similar in her determination to overcome the odds, as she bounced back from financial constraints to become an eminent member of the RMIT Vietnam community while completing her Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication) degree.

After being accepted by RMIT Vietnam for a full scholarship in 2013, Xuan entered the University with an exemplary attitude towards study and service despite the challenges before her.

"It was such an honour, a life-changing experience for me and my family," Xuan said after accepting the President's Award.

Dang Nghinh Xuan delivers her acceptance speech at the University's Hanoi graduation ceremony.

Xuan's passion for media saw her become a member of Golden Key and a successful President of Current Media at the University’s Hanoi campus. Xuan was also named an ambassador for both Unilever and the RMIT Student Ambassador team.

Xuan's final words for the 2016 graduates emphasised her core principles and what is required for an RMIT graduate to succeed.

"Take initiatives and work hard," Xuan said.

"Be confident, yet humble. Never stop learning because what we know is too limited. Make mistakes, learn the lessons."

"Every time you fail, allow yourself to heal. But then, remember to stand up straight and keep going on with your head high."

Story: Daniel Eslick

Campus and community

06 December 2016