Vietnamese scientist in Australia contributes knowledge to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
(VTC News) – Dr. Duy Nguyen’s success story abroad is inspiring the younger generation and contributing to promoting cooperation between Vietnam and Australia.
Let’s talk with Dr. Duy Nguyen, a scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), about his journey from receiving an Australian scholarship to becoming an expert in water security, which inspires many young people who want to continue their studies abroad and develop their careers through new ideas and useful advice.
– Having the opportunity to travel around the world and meet many scientists, after graduating from high school, how did your journey go?
My journey to Australia is not a plain-sailing one. I dreamed of studying abroad during my high school years. My passion for physics, rivers, lakes, seas, and natural phenomena led me to Thuy Loi University (formerly known as Water Resources University). I then received a full government scholarship to study Hydraulic Engineering at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia.
Like many generations of Vietnamese students who went to Russia at that time, we tried our best to study and make it onto the list of top students. I was no different, graduating with a near-perfect overall score, earning a distinction degree, and being honoured as one of the top students in the entire cohort.
Dr Duy Nguyen and colleagues at Science at the Shine Dome, Australian Academy of Science.
However, unlike many generations of Vietnamese students, I did not choose to pursue my higher education in Russia even though it might have been an easier choice. I became aware of education in the United States in the early days of my third year of university. For me, the United States is the place to realise many of my ambitions, about conquering knowledge, working with many talented people, and making the American dream come true.
It also motivated me to go from not knowing English to achieving an IELTS score of 8.5 after a year and a half, partly by cooking for a Nigerian dorm mate in exchange for English lessons.
Building on my background, along with high academic results during my university years, I successfully won the VEF scholarship (a scholarship that covers living expenses for two years of study in the US). This scholarship laid the foundation for me to negotiate with many professors at major universities in the US. That year, after graduation, I applied to 11 American universities (all in the Top 20 in the US), and I received full scholarships from eight of them.
I chose the University of Notre Dame to pursue my dreams in the US because I was awarded its highest scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship. During my two years there, I immersed myself in studying and working. As expected, the US expanded many new perspectives in my field. Thanks to this, I gained a clearer understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, as well as which path I should follow.
Perhaps that is why, after two years in the US, I sought an opportunity to work in a field that better matches my strengths and interests. I met Michael, a professor at the University of Sydney, who agreed to accept me as one of his PhD students on a topic which is very familiar to Vietnam – simulation of turbulent flow in drought conditions.
This opportunity brought me to Australia, through the RTP scholarship of the University of Sydney.
RTP is likely my most meaningful scholarship. The scholarship opened up the opportunity for me to explore a research topic that I continue to pursue today. After many countries (Vietnam, Russia, Germany, and the US), the scholarship eventually brought me to Australia.
Dr Duy Nguyen receives CSIRO Recognition Reward.
Lesson for students: Society is developing so fast with many issues related to AI, biotechnology, quantum technology, climate change, geopolitics, etc. It is easy for young people to lose their way. If you are still studying or have already graduated, and you are still uncertain about your career path, do not feel discouraged. Maybe the right door for you is yet to open.
Focus on four questions: Do I like that path? Will it provide me with financial benefits? Am I good at it? And finally, if I keep going, can I make a positive impact on society?
If your answer is “yes” to all four, keep moving forward. I have lived in five countries and faced turning points to reach where I am today. I do not know where I will be tomorrow either, but I am confident to say that I always have four “yeses” to the questions above in every step I take.
Dr Duy Nguyen and young Australian scientists visit Max Planck Institutes in Germany.
– How has your study in Australia helped your daily work so far?
The expertise I gained during my PhD time at the University of Sydney informs my current projects. My expertise is in fluid dynamics, and I am currently applying hydrodynamic and biochemical models, along with AI/ML, to address water security issues in Australia, Vietnam, and other countries around the world.
In addition to research, I also delivered lectures in many classes. Thanks to that experience, I improved my skills such as presenting, explaining, and interpreting complex knowledge into easy-to-understand language, etc. These are all crucial skills that I directly apply in my work.
I also actively searched for additional scholarships. Besides the full RTP scholarship, I also learned how to write a proposal for a top-up scholarship and how to apply for additional grants to support my research. Those small experiences also helped me write strong proposals for current major research funds.
Not only did I acquire knowledge, but I also actively participated in social activities during my graduate studies. I served as a representative for all graduate students at the university to take part in the University Academic Board.
In that role, I built many useful skills through meaningful activities. For example, my colleagues and I wrote a petition to the Australian Department of Education about a mechanism to support students doing research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our petition was approved, and adopted to most universities across Australia at that time.
Having leadership and teamwork skills and engaging in social activities also contribute to the success in my current job.
More notably, my achievements in research and teaching and my dedication during the PhD journey helped me to be selected as one of 10 young Physics scientists in Australia that had the honour to participate in the global knowledge festival in Lindau, Germany, meeting and talking with nearly 40 Nobel laureates. The trip not only opened up opportunities for collaboration, but also sparked endless inspiration about science, and motivated me greatly in my current research work.
Lesson for students: University is a miniature society, where if you can try to get out of your “comfort zone” and enrich your knowledge and skills, it will undoubtedly be beneficial for you later.
To do that, you need to know two things. Firstly, there are many tools in school that can assist with your studies and future endeavours. Many students, even after four years, remain unaware of the university’s job application guidance office and struggle to find external services for this purpose. If you take the time to search for information, your school’s resources are usually sufficient. Secondly, you must know how to prioritise what you want to develop. First things first, it is probably professional knowledge, then other skills. Only you understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Dr Duy Nguyen and colleagues introduce AquaWatch technology to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
– How does winning the 2025 Australian Alumni Awards inspire you in your future work?
In 2025 alone, I won three major awards: two professional awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and CSIRO, and one recognition for my contributions, the 2025 Australian Alumni Awards. I must say, every year, I have something to celebrate.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not bragging. I just want to say that winning awards for me is like a shooting star flashing across the sky. Similarly, when I stand on the stage to receive an award, I can steal the whole spotlight. But that moment passes by very quickly. If I stop trying, then people will soon forget that I have won an award.
That’s why I set a goal to challenge myself every few years, after I try to make contributions and accumulate knowledge in an adequate manner, I will use those accomplishments as benchmarks to compete in some awards or competitions, hoping to shine again.
Dr Duy Nguyen receives the Australian Alumni Award 2025.
Winning the Australian Alumni Awards has a direct impact on my life and work. Many of my projects are currently being carried out both in Australia and Vietnam, especially in the fields of innovation and digital transformation. An example is the project on applying AI in the water quality monitoring system in Vietnam’s aquaculture. So, when my expertise and dedication were recognised, I felt happiness, but also a responsibility to work even harder to meet the expectations of those who believed in me and nominated me for the awards.
That’s why I am motivated to do better with my current projects and many other projects in the future, which will contribute more to both Australia and Vietnam.
Lesson for students: Don’t be shy. If you are talented, just confidently showcase it to others to see, hear, and be inspired. Try apply for a scholarship, entering a contest or vying for an award. Not only will the process of applying and submitting help you learn new and interesting things, but if you win, it will become a memorable experience, not just for you.
Each award you earn also motivates for many others. However, do not rest on your laurels or become complacent. If you do, others will surpass you and you could fall into obscurity in this ever-changing society.
Dr Duy Nguyen receives the Karl Emil Hilgard Hydraulic Prize
– In your opinion, as Australian alumni, what will you contribute to promoting the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries?
I am sure that all alumni are contributing something, whether small or big. I am also contributing in my own way.
Professionally, I am still actively developing major projects between ministries, departments, and universities in both countries. As a scientist in CSIRO, I have a unique opportunity for my projects to create a greater impact and be applied more widely than university basic research.
Hence, the projects on water security that I am cooperating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Science & Technology and universities all have the potential to be implemented in provinces, cities, and other localities across the country.
My recent projects in Vietnam, such as water quality monitoring and forecasting in aquaculture or building a co-pilot AI application for agriculture, are gradually yielding the initial results. I hope that in the near future, those technologies will soon be widely applied nationwide.
I also actively facilitate the cooperation between organisations from both countries, most recently between Thuy Loi University, VinUni, or Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and CSIRO. Moving forward, I hope that more organisations from each country will exchange and cooperate with each other in potential projects.
Lesson for students: Every action you take is primarily aimed at improving yourself, then at creating a positive impacts on those around you, a larger organisation, and ultimately society.
Excelling in your studies, achieving outstanding results, and promoting the learning spirit of Vietnamese people in Australia are perhaps the best ways a student can do to contribute to the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” between the two countries.
– Thank you very much!
