From uncertainty to unstoppable: The inspiring journey of Vo Thanh Hoang Anh

From uncertainty to unstoppable: The inspiring journey of Vo Thanh Hoang Anh

"As long as the wind keeps blowing, I’ll keep moving forward." These words, spoken by the School of Science, Engineering and Technology’s Class Representative Vo Thanh Hoang Anh, encapsulated a journey of transformation that was nothing short of extraordinary.

From humble beginnings to academic excellence

Like many first-year students, Hoang Anh’s journey at RMIT Vietnam began with questions about the road ahead, and whether it was hers to follow. With a belief in herself and a willingness to keep going, even when the destination was unknown, she moved forward. Through dedication and diligence, she transformed into a confident leader and became a beacon of academic excellence.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-1-sset-class-representative-vo-thanh-hoang-anh'Vo Thanh Hoang Anh is the 2025 Class Representative of the School of Science, Engineering & Technology and the Outstanding Graduate of the Bachelor of Information Technology program.

Graduating with a top score from the Bachelor of Information Technology with a minor in Artificial Intelligence, Hoang Anh was recognised as the Outstanding Graduate of her program, showcasing her remarkable academic achievements. She was awarded the RMIT Academic Achievement Scholarship in 2022 and was listed on the 2024 Vice-Chancellor's List for Academic Excellence, recognising the top two per cent of RMIT students globally.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-2-sset-class-representative-vo-thanh-hoang-anh'Hoang Anh was awarded RMIT Vietnam Academic Achievement Scholarship for Current Students in 2022.

Her capstone project with the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), focused on AI-driven healthcare research to enhance tuberculosis treatments. This project not only showcased her technical prowess but also her commitment to making a real-world impact. Her work has been recognised internationally, with a paper submitted to a prestigious Q1 journal in AI and an accepted poster presentation at the 18th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering in Singapore.

Hoang Anh’s academic journey was enriched during the exchange programs at San Diego State University (SDSU), USA, and RMIT Melbourne, Australia. These experiences allowed her to explore emerging fields of science that sparked curiosity and broadened her horizons.

Breaking barriers and leading challenges

Beyond her academic achievements, Hoang Anh was a mentor and leader. As a Program Tutor at RMIT Vietnam Student Academic Success, she guided students in programming and IT-related courses. Her leadership extended to impactful initiatives such as the Online Borrowing System (OBS) for the School of Science, Engineering & Technology which she developed in her second year, and PassMe, an eco-friendly second-hand goods exchange platform for international students which she cofounded. 

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-3-sset-class-representative-vo-thanh-hoang-anh'Hoang Anh was presenting at a workshop as a Program Tutor for the Bachelor of Information Technology program.

In a field often dominated by men, Hoang Anh paved the way for other women in technology. Her drive to innovate and solve real-world problems led her to compete in national and international challenges. She was a runner-up finalist in the City of Melbourne Open Innovation Competition 2023 for PassMe; won first prize in the GenAI & Cyber Security Hackathon 2024 (Vietnam National), secured second place in the ANZ Hack to Hire Contest 2024, and achieved third place in the International Quant Championship 2024. She also received a prize in the Ho Chi Minh City AI Challenge 2024 and a consolation prize in the 30th Vietnam National Student Olympiad in Informatics.

Testimonials of excellence

Michael Valley, Manager of Peer Assisted Learning at RMIT Vietnam, praised Hoang Anh’s exceptional skills and dedication, and her positive impact on students she mentored.

Dr Nguyen Thi Thuy, Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at RMIT Vietnam, commended Hoang Anh's dedication, intellect, and leadership. As her Capstone Project supervisor, Dr Thuy witnessed firsthand her ability to lead a team in applying advanced machine learning methods to a challenging computer vision problem.

"Hoang Anh demonstrated exceptional research acumen and technical expertise. Her ability to think critically under pressure and maintain meticulous attention to detail played a significant role in the project's achievements," Dr Thuy said.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-4-sset-class-representative-vo-thanh-hoang-anh'Beyond academic excellence, Hoang Anh (fourth from the left) actively engaged in numerous extracurricular activities.

Throughout her journey, Hoang Anh was inspired by the support of her family, lecturers, and peers. She gave back to the RMIT community through volunteering, mentoring, and leadership. Her story demonstrates how RMIT's dynamic learning environment and supportive community empowers students to achieve their dreams and make a difference.

As the 2025 Class Representative of the School of Science, Engineering & Technology, Hoang Anh shared with her fellow graduates: “People often say we are the generation of vulnerability. But I believe we are also the generation of possibility, creativity, and quiet courage. We can be both lost and radiant, scared and brave, tired and full of hope – all at once. We don’t just manifest our dreams, we put in the work to make them real.”

Story: Ha Hoang

21 April 2025

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