Hanoi student shifts from chemistry to AI, wins $370,000 US scholarship in computer science

Nguyen Manh Duong, a 22-year-old student from Hanoi, has made an extraordinary transition from specializing in chemistry to excelling in artificial intelligence, earning seven international scientific publications and securing a fully funded PhD scholarship in computer science in the United States.

Duong recently completed his undergraduate studies in data science and artificial intelligence at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) with a remarkable cumulative GPA of 3.94/4, graduating with the highest honors. At HUST, only 7–8% of students graduate with distinction each year (GPA ≥ 3.6/4), and achieving above 3.9, as Duong did, is exceptionally rare.

Even before officially receiving his bachelor's diploma, he was admitted to the PhD program in computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign in March, accompanied by a full scholarship valued at approximately US$370,000 over five years. According to U.S. News & World Report, the university ranks 33rd nationally overall and 5th for computer science.

Duong’s journey began in high school at Hanoi National University of Education High School for the Gifted, where he focused on chemistry. Initially, he had no plans to study abroad or pursue research, but he described his shift to AI as "destiny." Entering HUST in 2021, a period when artificial intelligence was still emerging in Vietnam, he recognized both the promise and purpose of the field and decided to pivot his academic focus.

He gained admission to HUST through his high school performance, interview, and a second prize in the national science and engineering competition in chemistry. Surrounded by classmates with stronger backgrounds in mathematics and computer science, Duong initially felt out of his depth, but this motivated him to master AI comprehensively.

“I never studied just for grades. I always sought to truly understand,” he said. Duong pursued knowledge relentlessly, asking questions and seeking answers independently. This methodical approach helped him excel in challenging courses such as calculus and statistics, earning mostly A and A+ grades and maintaining a GPA above 3.8 from his first year.

Outside the classroom, Duong was an active participant in extracurricular activities. He served as deputy head of HUST’s events and programs club and competed in the “Mr. & Miss HUST” contest during his second year, finishing as runner-up. He also interned as an AI engineer, but found the role creatively limiting and unsuited to his ambitions.

“Even with top grades, I felt uncertain. Working for a company was restrictive, but I doubted whether I was capable enough for research,” he recalled.

In his third year, Duong sought research opportunities at HUST’s AIoT Lab. Although applications had closed, he emailed Associate Professor Nguyen Phi Le, then the lab’s head and now director of the AI4LIFE Research Institute. After an in-person interview, he was accepted. The transition from coursework to research proved challenging, requiring constant reading and adaptation, as AI is an ever-evolving field.

Under Dr. Le’s guidance and with support from senior lab members, Duong gradually acclimated. “She taught me patiently—from how to read papers to knowledge that would have taken years to acquire independently,” he said. At the lab, he collaborated with professors and experts who helped refine his research focus.

Focusing on federated learning and medical AI, Duong became lead or co-author on seven publications in prominent international venues, including the prestigious International Conference on Computer Vision. By the end of his third year, he began contemplating graduate study abroad.

To strengthen his academic profile, he initially intended to apply for programs after graduation but instead submitted a single application this year to the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. His choice was based on two factors: the university’s top-five ranking in computer science and the lab’s focus on medical AI. Duong had previously met several Illinois professors during a joint HUST–VinUni project.

He spent approximately three weeks preparing his application, including transcripts, research portfolio, recommendation letters, and a personal statement detailing his motivations and goals. Three mentors from Vietnam and the U.S. provided recommendations. “When I received the acceptance letter, I was overwhelmed. I had not been confident, as I started research later than many others,” he admitted.

Dr. Le described Duong as one of three AIoT Lab students this year to secure a fully funded U.S. PhD in computer science before graduation. “He is an all-rounded student with logical thinking, research capability, and strong soft skills,” she said.

Duong flew to the U.S. last month, about a month before receiving his bachelor’s degree. For now, he continues collaborating with the AIoT Lab while expanding his socio-economic knowledge to gain broader perspectives for his studies abroad. “I hope to continue publishing collaborative research with HUST labs while pursuing my PhD in the U.S.,” he said.