Alumnus awarded “Women of the Future” scholarship

Alumnus awarded “Women of the Future” scholarship

RMIT Vietnam alumnus Do Nguyen Thanh Truc was recently awarded a Women of the Future scholarship, created to support bright and inspirational women from across the globe.

The scholarship is awarded by the University of Essex annually to thirty women, helping to empower them with the skills and knowledge to become leaders and drivers of change.

An RMIT Vietnam Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication) graduate, Ms Truc is using the scholarship to pursue a Master of Science in Psychology at the University of Essex, located in the United Kingdom.

“I am interested in people, in how the mind works,” Ms Truc said.

“I want to use this degree help patients deal with their mental health issues through my practice as a clinical psychologist, especially autistic children or children with learning difficulties or [those who are] being bullied at schools, and help inspire the younger generations through teaching psychology at universities in Vietnam.”

Alumnus Do Nguyen Thanh Truc has won University of Essex’s Women of the Future Scholarship Alumnus Do Nguyen Thanh Truc has won University of Essex’s Women of the Future Scholarship

Her journey in psychology began in 2015 when she took advantage of RMIT’s exchange program to study at its Melbourne campus. There Ms Truc took two courses in psychology, a subject that she would fall in love with. When she returned to Vietnam, she realised that she wanted to further her studies in this area. This is when she met RMIT Vietnam’s Senior Lecturer Dr Matthew McDonald.

Dr McDonald, a Chartered Psychologist who has published in a range of internationally recognised journals in the fields of social psychology, management, and philosophy, offered her a position as Research Assistant at RMIT Vietnam’s Asia Graduate Centre where he teaches.

“In almost 2 years working with Dr McDonald, I learned a lot,” Ms Truc recalled.

“If a semester studying psychology in Australia was the chance for me to get to know about psychology, the time working with Dr McDonald brought me deeper knowledge about the field.

Dr McDonald (left) and Ms Truc (middle) worked at RMIT Vietnam’s Asia Graduate Centre. Dr McDonald (left) and Ms Truc (middle) worked at RMIT Vietnam’s Asia Graduate Centre.

He is one of the most supportive lecturers that I know. He allowed me to be the co-author of his journal articles or conference papers. These were great opportunities for a researcher like me who only has a bachelor’s degree. I think this helped me achieve the scholarship.”

In September Ms Truc flew to the United Kingdom to start the latest chapter in her life.

“After finishing the master’s program, I will apply for a PhD,” she said.

Story: Kieu Trang

  • Achievements
  • Scholarships
16 November 2017

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