A visually impaired man’s dream of an inclusive society

A visually impaired man’s dream of an inclusive society

“People with disabilities can do much more than society thinks.” From RMIT’s Opportunity Scholarship to the Australia Awards, Hoang Nhat Minh proves the power of resilience, and dreams of a truly inclusive society.

People with disabilities often face hidden societal biases, but Hoang Nhat Minh — a visually impaired man from Ho Chi Minh City — has defied them all. His journey goes beyond academic success. It’s a mission to build an inclusive society where people with disabilities contribute as equals.

“When I won the RMIT scholarship, no one but my mother believed I could do it."

Born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Minh attended Nguyen Dinh Chieu Specialised School for visually impaired students. His mother, his strongest supporter, instilled in him the belief that higher education was within reach.

Minh with parents and RMIT staff at his graduationFrom various challenges, Hoang Nhat Minh rose with determination and earned RMIT's Opportunity Scholarship, the biggest turning point in his life. (Photo: RMIT)

At school, Minh was inspired by his friends Nguyen Tuan Tu and Nguyen Thanh Vinh, who had won prestigious international scholarships. Their success sparked his own dream of earning a scholarship. “If they can do it, then I can do it too,” he thought.

After high school, Minh applied to five universities but was rejected by four, as they doubted a visually impaired student could excel in creative fields like language or communication. RMIT Vietnam saw his potential, offering him a fully funded scholarship.

“Receiving RMIT’s Opportunity Scholarship was the biggest turning point in my life,” Minh recalls.

This scholarship opened doors to international-standard education, where Minh proved people with disabilities can thrive in higher education.

At RMIT, Minh pursued Professional Communication, a field requiring practical skills like filming and photography that many assume visually impaired students cannot do. But encouragement from his teachers and peers, together with the support from RMIT’s Equitable Learning and Accessibility department, transformed his self-doubt into confidence. "I thought I couldn’t do it, but their encouragement changed my perspective," Minh shared.

Minh poses with RMIT students and staffWith support from family, teachers, and friends, Minh proved that people with disabilities can achieve beyond expectations. (Photo courtesy of Hoang Nhat Minh)

While academic challenges were significant, overcoming societal bias was even harder. "When I won the scholarship, no one but my mother believed I could do it," Minh recalled. Her belief became a guiding light through every hardship.

After graduating from RMIT, Minh became a Child Development and Special Needs Education Officer at Saigon Children's Charity, where he led online safety projects and managed communications for the Special Needs Education Programme.

Beyond his role there, he mentored students at Nhat Tam Unison, a vocational centre for autistic students, and taught Aikido to students with Down syndrome at PEAWIL. Minh remains closely connected to RMIT as a guest speaker for Global Careers courses and an industry mentor for the RMIT Accessibility Design Competition from 2022 to 2024.

With his family’s unwavering support, Minh believes that work is not just a livelihood but a way to give back to society. “Family is my greatest source of support. My mother, father, and younger sister are always there for me, helping me through the toughest times,” Minh said.

“The Australia Awards are not just an opportunity to study, but a chance to become a global citizen.”

Determined to keep pushing his limits, Minh applied for the Australia Awards — one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships. His application journey took three years and a rejection, but he refused to give up. Instead, he refined his application, learning from past mistakes and coming back stronger.

Minh speaking at a podiumAt the Australia Awards presentation ceremony, Minh shared his journey of perseverance, where effort and support fuelled his dreams. (Photo courtesy of Aus4Skills – Australia Awards Vietnam)

On his second attempt, Minh succeeded, earning the Australia Awards. He was drawn to its human-centred approach, as it allows students with disabilities to bring a support person throughout their studies.

“The Australia Awards are not just an opportunity to study, but a chance to become a global citizen,” Minh shared.

This year, Minh will begin his Master of Education at Flinders University Australia, focusing on Special Education and Inclusion, Counselling, and Educational Leadership. He aims to use this knowledge to drive inclusive education policy reform in Vietnam.

“The moment I received RMIT's Opportunity Scholarship was the biggest turning point in my life.”

When he completes his master's degree, Minh plans to spend two to four years working in Singapore or Malaysia — countries known for their progressive inclusive education systems. He hopes to study modern models of inclusive education and build a global network of experts in the field.

Minh sitting at a table with 5 other young peopleMinh dreams of building a more inclusive society where everyone is empowered to reach their full potential. (Photo courtesy of Hoang Nhat Minh)

His long-term vision is to return to Vietnam and establish a ‘Circle of Support’ for people with disabilities. This model will focus on support from families, communities, and society. His mission is to help develop inclusive education programs and implement Individual Learning Plans (ILP) for students with disabilities at Vietnamese universities.

“The moment I received RMIT's Opportunity Scholarship was the biggest turning point in my life,” Minh said. For him, a scholarship is more than financial aid — it is a gateway to dreams much bigger than he had ever imagined.

“With effort and timely support, we can reach our goals, even if our journey is slower than others,” Minh said.

If you’re seeking an opportunity to change your life and make an impact, explore RMIT Vietnam's scholarship program that has helped students like Hoang Nhat Minh and thousands of other students turn their dreams into reality.

Story: Quan Dinh H.

03 January 2025
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