From a tech-loving student to a PhD in AI and the "cycle of opportunity" at Dai Nam University.

Over ten years ago, a final-year Information Technology student walked out of the graduation thesis defense room with an excellent degree, but what he remembered most wasn't the grade. It was the pat on the shoulder from his professor and a life-changing offer: "Stay and work at the university, we believe you can do it!" That student was Le Trung Hieu. More than a decade has passed, and the once shy young man is now a PhD in Computer Science, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, and Head of the AI & IoT Lab at Dai Nam University.

Looking back over the long journey, his story doesn't feature any sudden miracles. It's a simple journey, woven from initial curiosity, nurtured by his own perseverance, and most importantly, supported by an educational ecosystem that recognizes potential and provides opportunities at the right time.

THE FIRST COMMANDS WERE NURTURED BY KINDNESS

Few people know that Dr. Le Trung Hieu's passion began with very simple things: sleepless nights tinkering with an old computer, naive questions about how software works and the world behind lines of code. That natural curiosity led him to the Faculty of Information Technology at Dai Nam University in its early days.

At the age of eighteen or twenty, amidst a rapidly changing technology market, the greatest fortune for a young person is to meet mentors who can guide them. Instead of forcing students into dry theoretical frameworks, the teachers at Dai Nam University choose to accompany them, encourage self-learning, and create a space for students to dare to experiment and make mistakes.

It was the eagerness to learn and the self-reliance of student Le Trung Hieu that caught the attention of the management team.

In his final year of university, at a time when most of his friends were still struggling to send out resumes for jobs, he received the absolute trust of Dr. Le Thi Thanh Huong (Vice Rector) and Dr. Do Thu Huong (Head of Training Management Department) to stay and dedicate himself to the university.

The decision to retain employees is not based on seniority, but on a thorough understanding of the potential of the next generation.

A TURNING POINT IN MANAGEMENT AND THE YEARS OF SELF-RESISTANCE OF A COMPUTER SCIENCE DOCTOR

Stepping into the Training Management Department, Lê Trung Hiếu, a former technology engineer specializing in machinery, learned how to work with people. Years of experience in management gave him a deep understanding of the operational structure of a university. He saw the quiet dedication of the faculty behind each program, and the efforts to reduce friction and provide the best possible learning experience for students. He was appointed Deputy Head of Department at a very young age.

However, the flame of technology within him never died out. Amidst the complexities of his management duties, he still heard the call of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Vision, and the Internet of Things (IoT) – fields that will shape the future of humanity.

The journey to earning a PhD in Computer Science was a series of challenging times. It involved rebuilding algorithmic models hundreds of times, and submitting rejected scientific papers that had to be revised through multiple rounds of rigorous peer review.

"Technology changes every hour; stopping means falling behind. The true strength of a technology professional lies not in how intelligent they are, but in how much pressure they can withstand to persevere to the very end," Dr. Le Trung Hieu reflected.

"THE CYCLE OF OPPORTUNITY" - WHEN THOSE WHO RECEIVE TRUST BECOME THOSE WHO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Returning to the Faculty of Information Technology after years of studying and working, Le Trung Hieu, then a young Master's graduate, carried with him the aspiration to teach, research, and contribute to his students. For him, becoming a lecturer at the very institution that had trained him was not only a career choice but also a way to continue his intellectual journey and pass on the values he had received. From there, he continuously studied and researched to complete his PhD and assume the roles of Deputy Head of Faculty and Head of the AI & IoT Lab.

This return carries a profound brand message for Dai Nam University. It's not just a story of attracting talent, but a continuation of gratitude.

Today, in the state-of-the-art AI & IoT Labs, Fintech Labs, or Semiconductor Technology Transfer Centers, Dai Nam University students don't see a distant PhD holder, but rather an empathetic teacher. He brings real-world business problems into his lectures, he works alongside students on highly applicable AI projects, and most importantly, he looks at his students with the same gaze his former teachers once directed at him: the gaze of trust.

"The success of an educator is not measured by their title, but by the growth of their students. I see a reflection of my younger self in their bewildered yet hopeful expressions. I was given the opportunity in the past, and my responsibility now is to pass that opportunity on to the next generation," he confided.

LASTING VALUE FROM THE PHILOSOPHY "FOR DEDICATED LEARNERS"

The story of Dr. Le Trung Hieu is the most vivid explanation of the spirit of "Unleash your identity - Illuminate your journey" that Dai Nam University steadfastly pursues.

A university is not a factory that produces robots all made with a single formula. A university is a place where each individual's unique identity is discovered, honed with practical knowledge (True competence - Solid foundation for life), and nurtured with a wholehearted dedication (For the sake of the learner).

Over ten years ago, a good seed was sown in the fertile land of Dai Nam. Today, that seed has grown into a large tree, continuing to shelter and nurture new harvests. This is the most enduring and humane value that an educational brand can proudly affirm to society.