A quantitative analyst turned AI professional

A quantitative analyst turned AI professional

Discover how Phan Quoc Hung transitioned from economics and finance to becoming an AI professional at RMIT – a journey highlighted by the transformative power of determination, passion, and the desire to provide real solutions to global problems using technology.

Yet, his unique educational path underscores the dynamic interplay between finance and technology, highlighting the significant impact of interdisciplinary education in shaping Vietnam’s future leaders.

"I came from an economics and finance background, which alone would not qualify me to study in an Artificial Intelligence master’s program,” Hung notes. “But my fascination with quantitative trading and my commitment to mastering statistics and programming has laid a solid foundation for my studies at RMIT.” 

Initially, Hung felt at a disadvantage. "I am the least technical person in the cohort for sure," he admits. “There was already going to be a steep learning curve to face.” To bridge this gap, Hung invested time in coding and programming skills, earning certificates in Python and data structures before applying for the program. "I had to prove to Dr. Minh Dinh, the Program Manager, that I was capable in maths," he recalls. Hung’s commitment paid off, enabling him to contribute significantly in his role using quantitative methods to analyse macroeconomics and the interbank market at HD Bank, where he utilised AI and Machine Learning (ML) for time series forecasting.

Hung Phan, MAI student Hung Phan, MAI student

Hung’s choice of RMIT’s master’s program was strategic, driven by his desire for a curriculum that balanced theoretical knowledge with practical application. "I did deep research into the master's programs I wanted to take," he explains. “Unlike many programs in the UK or at other universities in Australia that I found too theoretical, RMIT's program offers a pragmatic approach. This practical focus was evident in courses like Computational Machine Learning, taught by Dr. Quang Tran.”

Understanding the synergy between different fields allowed Hung to collaborate with Dr. Quang on a research paper forecasting agricultural prices, specifically rice. This project, evolving from an assignment to a published paper, underscores the program’s emphasis on real-world AI applications. "We built a foundational forecasting price system. Vietnam, who is a large agriculture exporter, does not have an effective solution yet to help with price forecasting. Now imagine we had a system to do just that – this is what makes Dr. Quang’s and my research a significant milestone," Hung admits proudly.

Hung’s experience was further enriched by the mentorship and teaching he received in Dr. Nguyen Thao’s Discrete Mathematics course. It was during this course that he had his ‘A-Ha” moment, transforming his attitude towards mathematics. Hung reflects, "Dr. Thao’s ability to turn mathematical concepts into practical and understandable examples allowed me to actually start liking math!"

Looking ahead, Hung is contemplating further academic pursuits, including a potential PhD. His future ambitions are fuelled by a desire to contribute to macroeconomic indicators and business processes, with a broader vision of how AI can drive economic and policy change. "Reliable forecasting has profound effects on economies and countries. It shapes national policies and direction," he asserts.

Hung’s journey is deeply personal. He confides that “right out of high school I knew I wanted to get into finance. My dad is a trader, and my older sister is working in finance in a bank overseas.  But the more I researched finance, the more I felt that it needs to be linked to ML and data science.  Not many people have created a reliable system that is set up to forecast macroeconomic variables.”  Hung also aspires to be the first in his family to earn a PhD, motivated by a desire to honour his father's sacrifices and achievements. "We come from a slightly difficult background, and both my parents fought hard to raise the family while also running a business. I want to be a source of pride for my family," he says.

You too can become a true AI professional, even if your background isn’t a fully technical one. It requires a lot of hard work, but you can start by checking out RMIT’s Master of Artificial Intelligence program webpage and reaching out to a program advisor today!

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A quantitative analyst turned AI professional

Discover how Phan Quoc Hung transitioned from economics and finance to becoming an AI professional at RMIT – a journey highlighted by the transformative power of determination, passion, and the desire to provide real solutions to global problems using technology.

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