With an impressive GPA of 9.12, Dinh Ngoc An – an Artificial Intelligence major – has been named Valedictorian of the Engineering and Technology cluster at FPT University (FPTU) Ho Chi Minh City during the first Graduation Ceremony of 2025. Few people know that four years earlier, An turned down two top universities to pursue his own path at FPTU – a bold decision that marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for a young student passionate about mathematics and AI.
Learning and experiencing to build success
In the 2021 national high school graduation exam, with an impressive score of 28.6, An – a former student of Trường THPT Nang khieu, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City – was admitted to leading universities such as Trường Dai hoc Bach khoa and Trường Dai hoc Cong nghe thong tin. However, his final choice was FPTU.
Explaining his decision, An said that after careful research, he found FPTU’s curriculum to be significantly different from that of other universities. All learning materials are in English and are continuously updated with advanced global knowledge, instead of relying on traditional Vietnamese textbooks that can become outdated or lose accuracy after multiple rounds of translation.
“Many students in technology majors at other universities spend a lot of time on general education courses, so they have limited exposure to new industry knowledge. Meanwhile, FPTU’s AI program emphasizes practical learning, allowing students to work directly with the latest technologies. I also received a 30% scholarship, which helped ease the financial burden for my family,” An shared.
Throughout his nine semesters at FPTU, An chose an active learning approach. He frequently prepared lessons in advance and treated class time as a discussion rather than a first-time knowledge intake. He also made extensive use of FLM resources and Coursera courses, which strengthened his confidence before exams. Despite facing many challenges, especially Final Exams and Practical Exams, An has never had to retake a course thanks to his thorough preparation. For him, saving time for new knowledge is always more valuable than repeating old material.
One aspect An appreciates most at FPTU is the way students are encouraged to express opinions, exchange ideas, and debate new lessons. This openness fosters a positive learning environment, helping students become more confident in receiving and analyzing information. Even courses often perceived as “dry,” such as Philosophy, became engaging thanks to flexible teaching methods, integrating games, debates, and historical stories. This made lessons more dynamic and helped students absorb knowledge naturally and proactively.
Sharing about his favorite spot on campus, An chose the library. “It’s not only well-organized but also spacious, airy, and inspiring. I often stay there after class instead of going home because it helps my brain stay fully active,” he said. Beyond the library, FPTU provides many creative spaces that encourage free thinking and self-expression. For instance, the main hall at the Ho Chi Minh City campus showcases student projects and new products – from design sketches to club-operated booths.
Stepping into the world through projects and the OJT semester
An’s academic journey at FPTU is closely tied to practical experiences and notable achievements. Among them, his capstone project on prescription verification was his most dedicated work. The project earned a Consolation Prize in the AI-in-healthcare category at the FPT Education Research Festival. Before that, An had already proven his academic strength in major competitions such as the Mathematics Olympiad and the international programming contest ICPC. His Silver Medal in the Mathematics Olympiad was not only an outstanding achievement but also helped him develop problem-solving and time-management skills. In addition, the Coc Vang Summer 2023 title is a clear testament to his perseverance and excellence over nine consecutive semesters.
Notably, his OJT internship at FPT Software Quy Nhon opened the door to a professional workplace environment. There, he participated in real AI projects and experienced a dynamic and open corporate culture.
“The knowledge and skills I learned at school were extremely helpful during my internship. I could apply what I had studied directly into developing high-quality products that met client requirements,” An said. After the internship, he was recommended for the fresher recruitment program and has now become an engineer at the FPT Software AI Center – one of the company’s major units specializing in AI solutions for global clients.
The journey of valedictorian Dinh Ngoc An is a clear testament that with passion, effort, and the right learning environment, any student can reach success and contribute meaningful value to society.