Visually impaired RMIT graduate continues to drive positive impact

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Visually impaired RMIT graduate continues to drive positive impact

For Hoang Nhat Minh, graduating from RMIT University is an important milestone in his ambition to make life better for himself and fellow people with disabilities.

news-thumbnail-visually-impaired-rmit-graduate-continues-to-drive-positive-impact Hoang Nhat Minh has just graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor of Professional Communication (pictured: Minh with his parents and Ms Carol Witney, Manager of Equitable Learning Services at RMIT University).

A recipient of the RMIT Opportunity Scholarship in 2016, Hoang Nhat Minh was determined to do his best to give back to the community right from his first days at university.

While completing his undergraduate program, Minh received thorough support from the University’s Equitable Learning Services and then became a volunteer for various projects to support other students with disabilities.

Besides, he continued volunteering as a content contributor and martial art coach for a social organisation called Aikido – World is love to help people with disabilities to learn sports and improve their independence skills.

The Bachelor of Professional Communication graduate said that the past four years had nurtured his self-confidence and kindness.

“Everyone at RMIT treated me with respect in spite of my disability,” he said. “My lecturers would often encourage me to use materials and inspirations from my own life in assignments, which I felt grateful for.”

“Perhaps the person that made the biggest impression on me was late lecturer Dr Bennett McClellan. He believed that I could use the camera despite my low vision and edit videos like other sighted students,” Minh recalled fondly.

news-visually-impaired-rmit-graduate-continues-to-drive-positive-impact-2 Minh (pictured second from left) with his teammates and RMIT lecturers at a client pitch session in the Bachelor of Professional Communication program.

After a period of internship, Minh is working in the Communication and Fundraising department of Saigon Children's Charity, specialising in managing the website content. He is also a coordinator for the charity’s cyber safety comic book project.

Minh revealed that before securing this job, he had gone through a brief period of uncertainty after two previous job offers at other organisations were withdrawn because of COVID-19.

“Thanks to the RMIT CareerHub, I got a three-month internship at Saigon Children’s Charity, which was then extended for another month before turning into a full-time job,” he said.

“I am very happy to continue pursuing my chosen path, which is working in the fields of special education and social work. Though a niche area, it’s suitable for my ability, personality and experience.”

In the near future, Minh aims to apply for the Australia Awards Scholarship to complete a Master’s degree in either special education or social work. Yet in order to better support the community, Minh believes he will need to deepen and broaden his qualifications even further.

“I look forward to improving my qualifications and experience in order to become more proficient in social work. I’m also eager to give back to the RMIT Wellbeing team to help students with disabilities become more independent and confident in life and work,” he said.

Manager of Equitable Learning Services at RMIT University Carol Witney added: “During his undergraduate study, Minh provided considerable support to other students in terms of pastoral care, technical support and consultancy around advocating for best academic practices including Universal Design for Learning. I can’t wait to see what amazing projects and initiatives Minh will be part of next in his career.”

news-visually-impaired-rmit-graduate-continues-to-drive-positive-impact-3 Minh currently works at Saigon Children's Charity, a non-profit organisation that enables disadvantaged children and young adults in Vietnam to reach their full potential through a quality education relevant to their needs.

Minh is happy that RMIT University has increased the number of scholarships for disadvantaged students to six this year. He recommends prospective students who are applying for this Opportunity Scholarship to spend time discovering their true interest and identifying the right program that they like, while making use of any support available. 

“RMIT gave me the confidence, knowledge and skills that I believe no other university in Vietnam can offer students with disabilities like me. I hope that more people will get the incredible opportunity and experience that I had,” Minh confided.

news-visually-impaired-rmit-graduate-continues-to-drive-positive-impact-4 Minh said that his family has been the biggest source of motivation to keep pursuing his education dreams (pictured: Minh with his parents at the RMIT scholarship ceremony in 2016).

Story: Huong Nguyen and Ngoc Hoang

31 March 2021

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