President’s Award winners focus on community and passion

Tiếng Việt

President’s Award winners focus on community and passion

Nguyen Kim Hao and Nguyen Dang Quang both received a President’s Award at recent graduation ceremonies at RMIT Vietnam's Hanoi and Saigon South campuses.

This prestigious award is given to undergraduate students who exemplify strong academic achievements, proven social responsibility and university community service.

Give back to your community

In her acceptance speech, Ms Hao, who majored in Economics & Finance at the School of Business & Management, shared the three most important things she learned at RMIT: to keep an open mind, never be afraid of standing out, and teamwork.

On the last point, she said, “I know that if you live good enough, you will have a good team. You will have wonderful teammates who will never leave you suffering alone on submission day. They will suffer with you. The journey that we have taken together as a team at RMIT has helped me pass my courses with flying colours.”

She urged fellow graduates to remember lessons learnt during their studies as they move forward.

“I hope that you can all recall at least three previous things from your time at RMIT that help you grow,” Ms Hao said. “Use it wisely and contribute back to our community. We are key to the success of this growing nation.”

The award-winner is now an Asia Pacific Management Trainee at Heineken Vietnam, and she plans to pursue an MBA in the future.

After the ceremony, she offered further advice for university students. “Of course you’ll have a lot of obstacles, but you must overcome them,” Ms Hao said.

“Life has a lot of struggles all the time, but if we can’t overcome them, we’ll never make it to where we want to be.”

Dare to follow your passion

Recent graduate and President’s Award Winner Nguyen Kim Hao is currently an Asia Pacific Management Trainee at Heineken Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Dang Quang is a Procurement Supervisor in the Finance Department at the JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel. He graduated with a degree in International Business.

In his speech, Mr Quang described the three most pivotal experiences during his studies at RMIT Vietnam. One highlighted his belief that pursuing personal passion without fear of failure is necessary in order to achieve your goals.

“I’ve always had a love for Tourism and Hospitality, and Supply Chain Management,” he said, “In 2015, there was no such major offered in RMIT University.”

After completing his International Business program earlier this year, he studied Hospitality Management and Supply Chain Management online, earning certifications from Stanford University and the University of Munich before looking for work.

“However, as my certification is merely online self-studying, I was rejected by most hotels I applied to,” Mr Quang went on.

“In May 2018, I was called to an interview with the Procurement Manager of the JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel, and she gave me the chance to work as a trainee.”

Five months later, he stands in his current position.

“Daring to follow your passion is always truly rewarding,” Mr Quang said in his speech. “I want to encourage you, confident and talented students of RMIT University, to step out of your acquainted circle and take on totally new challenges, because life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”