Three Hanoi Students Secure Full PhD Scholarships in US Computer Science

Exceptional Achievement by Three HUST Students

Three students from the same laboratory at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) have made history by securing full PhD scholarships to study computer science in the United States before completing their undergraduate degrees. This remarkable accomplishment has been highlighted by their professor, who described it as unprecedented.

The students are Nguyen Manh Duong, majoring in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence; Cao Minh Tue, and Tran The Hung, both majoring in Computer Science at HUST’s University of Information Technology and Communication. Their achievements have not only brought recognition to their university but also set a new benchmark for academic excellence in Vietnam.

Duong was awarded a full scholarship valued at around US$370,000 for a PhD program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which is ranked 33rd in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report. Tue received an offer from the University of Florida, ranked 30th, while Hung was accepted into Washington State University, ranked 189th. Each of them received scholarships worth approximately $270,000.

All three students confirmed their scholarships between March and April, months before they are scheduled to graduate from HUST this September. HUST is a leading Vietnamese public university known for its focus on technology and engineering.

Academic Excellence and Research Contributions

Cao Minh Tue attended the International Conference on Learning Representations 2025 held in Singapore in April 2025. His participation highlights the international exposure these students have gained through their research.

Nguyen Phi Le, head of the AI Research and Application Institute (AI4LIFE) at HUST, emphasized that the three students conducted collaborative research within the institute's laboratory. Their academic performance has been exceptional, with GPAs of 3.94, 3.85, and 3.61 out of 4, respectively. They have also contributed as first or second authors on papers presented at prestigious global AI conferences such as the International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV), International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR), and Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS).

Le expressed his astonishment at the achievement, stating that he has never seen a lab produce three students receiving full PhD scholarships in computer science in the U.S. from their fourth year of undergraduate study. He noted that typically, HUST students who earn PhD scholarships in information technology have already graduated and spent one to two years conducting research at major corporations such as Vingroup, FPT, or Viettel.

Early Engagement in Research

Duong, Tue, and Hung credited their success in securing U.S. scholarships to their early engagement in research. Duong emphasized the importance of early research experience, stating, "Graduate school demands curiosity, self-directed exploration, and independence. Starting research early helped me adapt quickly, build confidence, embrace experimentation, learn from mistakes, and face challenges head-on."

Their journey reflects a growing trend among young researchers in Vietnam who are increasingly seeking opportunities abroad to further their studies and contribute to global scientific advancements.

About Hanoi University of Science and Technology

Established in 1956, Hanoi University of Science and Technology offers a wide range of academic programs, including 65 undergraduate programs, 63 graduate programs, and 32 doctoral programs. The university enrolls about 8,000-9,000 new students each year.

Last year, among roughly 7,000 students graduating, only 8.65% graduated with honors, while approximately 7% continued their studies at the master's or PhD level. The recent accomplishments of Duong, Tue, and Hung highlight the potential for even greater academic achievements in the future.