Full scholarship fuels young student’s passion for IT

Full scholarship fuels young student’s passion for IT

Joining RMIT University on full scholarship this year, Dau Hoang Minh aims to take his passion for information technology to the next level.

As one of the seven RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars this year, Minh stood out among 213 nationwide applicants in the same category for his exceptional academic results and proven track record as a leader in high school.

A math and IT enthusiast, he won the Silver Medal in the national round of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad in 2020 and First Prize in his school’s Contest for Excellent Students in Mathematics in 2019.

He and his team also came in fifth in the 2020 Hello World Hackathon, organised by FPT Education and the University of Technology Petronas (Malaysia) to challenge students’ skills in the Python programming language.

Dau Hoang Minh (pictured left) with his teammates at the 2020 Hello World Hackathon, where they won fifth place.Dau Hoang Minh (pictured left) with his teammates at the 2020 Hello World Hackathon, where they won fifth place.

Minh explained his fascination for technology started as a child watching his older sister, whom he considered his biggest idol, study IT in university.

“Even though my understanding was quite vague back then, I already dreamed of working in IT someday. My goal now is to become an application developer who can create products that make human lives easier,” Minh said.

“I find programming to be very interesting. When you program, you are essentially communicating with computers, asking them to do what you want. Those are the tasks that humans cannot do or must spend a lot of time to complete, while computers are able to handle them easily and return results in just a few seconds.”

The FPT High School graduate has joined the first intake of the Bachelor of Information Technology program at RMIT’s Hanoi campus this October.

“Although it is the first cohort in the Hanoi campus, I firmly believe that with the experience of delivering the program in the Saigon South campus for over 10 years and even longer in Australia, RMIT University will offer me world-class education for my chosen profession,” Minh said.

“Studying in an international environment will also be beneficial for me when I pursue my dream of studying abroad and working in a technology company.”

Dau Hoang Minh is among the seven RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars in 2021.Dau Hoang Minh is among the seven RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars in 2021.

The university freshman also expects to build on his leadership skills – a passion he picked up in high school after missing out on many personal development opportunities in middle school due to overstudying.

“Upon entering high school, my target was to become a more well-rounded individual. I enrolled in a variety of clubs, which provided me golden opportunities to grow and excel,” Minh recalled.

Minh was an enthusiastic member of the IDo Charity Club, Go Green Club, and cultural exchange program in his school. He most fondly considers becoming the president of the English Club in 11th grade as one of his biggest self-improvement milestones.

“I was successful in building a home for every English lover at my school,” Minh said. “Participating in several club projects at the same time made me busy, but the things I gained are worthwhile – the friendships with people having the same aspiration, valuable experiences, and soft skills.”

Minh likened those experiences to his favourite quote by American author John C. Maxwell: “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”

“I had a wonderful time participating in a variety of activities in high school, and I look forward to having RMIT University as a companion in the next stage of my marvellous journey,” Minh said.

Story: Ngoc Hoang

15 October 2021

Share

  • Scholarships
Engage

Related news

two newlyweds

Later marriage: a new stage of adulthood?
Icon / Small / CalendarCreated with Sketch. 04 Nov 2026

People across many countries are marrying later than ever. RMIT University academic Dr Gordon Ingram argues that this reflects a shift in how young people experience the transition to adulthood.

Shirin holding her RMIT testamur

From Syria to Vietnam to France: young AI researcher takes the next leap
Icon / Small / CalendarCreated with Sketch. 03 Nov 2026

Shirin Shujaa first came to Vietnam to study for a software engineering degree at RMIT. Four years later, she is gearing up for an exciting new academic journey in France after discovering her passion for AI.

Two people standing on stage at the RMIT University Scholarship Award Ceremony 2026, with one holding a framed certificate.

The questions that led Trinh Yen Nhi to RMIT Vietnam
Icon / Small / CalendarCreated with Sketch. 29 Oct 2026

Some children grow up wondering what they want to become. RMIT Vietnam’s scholarship recipient Trinh Yen Nhi grew up wondering why people suffer, and what it takes to heal.

Sorted waste in buckets, including glass bottles, cans, plastic items, and mixed recyclables.

Why bigger AI isn’t the answer to better waste management
Icon / Small / CalendarCreated with Sketch. 27 Oct 2026

Dr Dao Vu Truong Son, senior lecturer in electronic and computer systems engineering at RMIT Vietnam, suggested that the future of sustainable waste management may depend less on building bigger AI systems and more on making them smarter, leaner and better suited to real-world conditions.

Load more +