Amid the growing integration of higher education with scientific research and global engagement, Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), the University of Danang continues to affirm its training quality as students steadily reach further and conquer leading academic environments. A notable example is Mai Nguyen Xuan Thao, a student from class 21AD, majoring in Information Technology (Data Science and Artificial Intelligence), Faculty of Computer Science, who has recently been admitted to the Combined Master’s and Doctoral Program at Ewha Womans University (Korea). This achievement is the result of persistent early engagement in scientific research, together with a solid academic foundation and comprehensive international integration capacity.

Student Mai Nguyen Xuan Thao (second from the left) with her research team at VKU

From her second year, Xuan Thao actively participated in research in artificial intelligence and data science. Under the guidance of lecturers from the Faculty of Computer Science, especially Dr. Dang Dai Tho, she gradually mastered a systematic research process, from idea formation and model development to completion and publication. This process not only helped her build in-depth knowledge but also develop independent research thinking, problem-solving skills, and professional working habits in an international academic environment.

Building on this foundation, Xuan Thao has made a strong impression with six scientific papers published at reputable international conferences indexed in Scopus. This is an outstanding achievement for an undergraduate student, demonstrating exceptional research capability and a serious commitment to an academic career. She is the first author of two studies, including “Enhancing the Efficiency of Sentiment Analysis for Vietnamese Hotel Reviews: A Deep Learning-Based Approach Combining Title and Content” and “DWACE: Enhancing Graph Clustering via Autoencoder and Contrastive Learning Refinement of DeepWalk Embedding.” She has also co-authored studies related to AI-based database optimization, biomedical data processing, and improvements to Vietnamese language models. Continuous international publications have not only affirmed her expertise but also served as a key factor in earning high evaluations from international professors.

In addition to research, Xuan Thao has maintained excellent academic performance with a GPA of 3.55 (Very Good classification), along with strong English proficiency, achieving IELTS 6.5 and TOEIC 855 (Reading & Listening). Her English skills have effectively supported her in reading specialized materials, writing scientific papers, and participating in international academic exchanges–an important advantage that enables her to confidently integrate and adapt quickly to overseas study environments.

Xuan Thao with numerous achievements in academic competitions

Alongside her studies and research, Xuan Thao has actively participated in academic competitions and earned notable achievements, including First Prize at the VKU Student Scientific Research Conference (academic year 2024–2025), Third Prize at The University of Danang level in 2025, and awards from competitions such as AI for Life 2024, Euréka 2025, and the ETC English Talent Contest 2024. These accomplishments reflect her comprehensive development in both professional expertise and skills in critical thinking, presentation, and scientific debate. At the same time, she has proactively engaged in international academic exchange programs at Phenikaa University and King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB, Thailand), including two study periods in Thailand and the completion of an international internship at KMUTNB – Prachinburi Campus in 2025. These experiences have broadened her perspective, enhanced her global integration capacity, and provided valuable practical experience in a multicultural environment.

With an outstanding academic profile and solid research experience, Xuan Thao has been directly accepted into a research group and awarded a scholarship by a professor from the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at Ewha Womans University. Notably, this acceptance came just before her university graduation—an important milestone that not only recognizes her persistent efforts but also opens the door to international academia immediately after completing her undergraduate engineering degree at VKU. At Ewha, she will pursue the Combined Master’s–PhD program, focusing on image and biomedical signal processing, particularly the application of artificial intelligence in ultrasound data analysis—an area with significant potential in modern medicine.

The journey of Mai Nguyen Xuan Thao clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of VKU’s research-oriented training model, where students are exposed to research early, guided by experienced lecturers, and encouraged to publish internationally. Her success is not only a personal achievement but also contributes to affirming VKU’s reputation and training quality, while inspiring future generations of students to nurture their passion for research, proactively integrate, and confidently pursue international academic opportunities in the digital era.

Center for Learning Resource and Communication

Founded in 1886, Ewha Womans University is one of the leading research universities in Korea and currently the largest women’s university in the world. The university is well known for its international academic environment, strong research orientation, and extensive global partnerships, attracting outstanding students and scholars from many countries. With its modern laboratory system and a team of leading professors, Ewha not only provides in-depth knowledge but also emphasizes the development of research capacity, innovative thinking, and global competence.

Beyond its excellence in education, Ewha is also recognized as the alma mater of many influential female leaders and prominent figures in Korea and internationally. Its alumni include pioneers in politics, science, business, and the arts, such as Han Myeong-sook–the first female Prime Minister of South Korea–Yoo Eun-hae, and Lee Myung-hee. In academia and science, the university has produced many distinguished researchers, while in the entertainment industry, notable alumni include Claudia Kim, who has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters such as Avengers and Fantastic Beasts.

The Combined Master’s and PhD Program at Ewha is designed as an integrated training model that allows students to pursue a continuous academic pathway from master’s to doctoral levels within the same research direction. The program emphasizes the development of independent research capacity, requiring students to complete advanced coursework, pass rigorous academic evaluations, and conduct doctoral research linked to international scientific publications. As a result, learners not only shorten their training duration but also gain early access to specialized research groups and highly applicable projects.

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