Vietnamese Graduate Secures Fully Funded PhD Fellowship at National University of Singapore
Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh, a high-distinction graduate from the University of Science at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has been awarded a prestigious doctoral fellowship to pursue advanced studies in Singapore. Phuong Anh completed her four-year undergraduate program in just 3.5 years, graduating this past February.
The Faculty of Science Dean’s Graduate Fellowship will provide full tuition coverage at the National University of Singapore (NUS), which is ranked as the eighth-best university globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. In addition to tuition, the fellowship includes a monthly stipend of S$3,600 (US$2,800).
“I felt relieved and happy after waiting for the result for many months,” Phuong Anh said.
Overcoming Academic Transitions
Phuong Anh’s path to pharmaceutical chemistry was not linear. During her time at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted in Ninh Binh Province, she focused on biology, winning third prize at the provincial level in both 11th and 12th grades. However, her studies in biology sparked a deeper curiosity about the molecular reactions driving living organisms, leading her toward chemistry.
Despite being admitted to the Biology Education program at Hanoi National University of Education, she chose the Pharmaceutical Chemistry program at VNU University of Science. This transition proved challenging, as the curriculum consisted of almost entirely new material. Phuong Anh initially struggled to compete with classmates who had specialized in chemistry during high school.
“There were times I doubted my decision to pursue pharmaceutical chemistry because I couldn’t keep up with my classmates,” she said.
Research Excellence and Perseverance
To bridge the gap in her practical skills, Phuong Anh joined the laboratory of Associate Professor Pham Thi Ngoc Mai during her second year. Her research focused on the synthesis of functional polymers and nanomaterials to enhance selectivity and sensitivity in analytical methods.
Phuong Anh adopted a methodical approach to scientific setbacks. “If an experiment didn’t yield results, in the evening I would search on Google Scholar to identify the cause, then discuss with my professors and lab seniors to adjust the experimental conditions,” she explained.
Beyond the lab, she navigated the challenges of mastering academic English, utilizing AI tools and extensive reading to learn professional writing conventions. Associate Professor Mai highlighted Phuong Anh’s perseverance, noting her dedication to the lab regardless of her course load or the completion of her thesis.
This dedication resulted in significant academic contributions:
- Lead author of a domestic paper published in the Journal of Tropical Science and Technology.
- Co-author of an international paper in Spectrochimica Acta Part A, a Q1 journal.
These publications played a critical role in strengthening her applications for international PhD programs.
Future Outlook
Phuong Anh is scheduled to move to Singapore in late July to join the research group of Associate Professor Chi Chunyan. The group’s work in materials science and organic chemistry has applications in emerging technologies and optoelectronics.
To prepare for the transition, she is currently continuing her research in Hanoi while studying both English and Mandarin. Looking further ahead, Phuong Anh expressed a desire to bring her expertise back to her home country.
“I plan to return to Vietnam after completing the program, continue doing research and possibly become a lecturer myself, like the professors who inspired me,” she said.
Given her stated goals, Phuong Anh may eventually contribute to the Vietnamese academic landscape as a researcher or educator, potentially influencing future students in the same way her own professors did.
