An increasing number of students at the University of Danang are pursuing scientific research and publishing their work in reputable domestic and international journals, strengthening their prospects for scholarships and advanced study overseas.

One recent example is Mai Nguyen Xuan Thao, a Data Science and Artificial Intelligence major at the University of Danang - Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (UD-VKU). She has been awarded a scholarship to pursue an integrated Master’s–PhD program at Ewha Womans University in South Korea.

Xuan Thao became involved in scientific research soon after entering university. Under the guidance of Dr. Dang Dai Tho and lecturers from VKU’s Faculty of Computer Science, she developed a strong foundation in research methods—from forming ideas and building research frameworks to developing applied models, conducting experiments, and publishing results.

Her sustained engagement in academic research has helped her sharpen her analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and discipline in an academic environment. To date, Thao has published six scientific papers in Scopus-indexed journals and international conference proceedings.

Her research includes “Enhancing the Efficiency of Sentiment Analysis for Vietnamese Hotel Reviews: A Deep Learning-Based Approach Combining Title and Content” and “DWACE: Enhancing Graph Clustering via Autoencoder and Contrastive Learning Refinement of DeepWalk Embedding.” Her work has also focused on applying artificial intelligence to database management optimization, biomedical data processing, and the improvement of Vietnamese language models.

Research has also been a driving force behind Xuan Thao’s academic performance. Equipped with an IELTS score of 6.5 and a TOEIC score of 855, she has easily accessed international academic materials, authored scientific papers, and participated in academic exchanges.

Her early achievements include first prize at VKU’s Student Scientific Research Conference for the 2024–2025 academic year and third prize at the University of Danang Student Scientific Research Awards in 2025. She has also earned high rankings in competitions including AI for Life 2024, Euréka 2025, and the ETC 2024 English Talent Contest.

Furthermore, Xuan Thao was twice selected by UD-VKU to join international student exchange and overseas internship programs at King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok in Thailand.

According to Xuan Thao, her persistent efforts and careful preparation helped her secure a place in a research group led by professors from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Ewha Womans University even before receiving her bachelor’s degree. The scholarship will allow her to pursue an integrated Master’s–PhD program with a new research focus on biomedical image and signal processing, particularly the application of artificial intelligence in analyzing modern ultrasound data.

Xuan Thao’s achievement reflects not only her own determination but also the growing research capacity of students at the University of Danang. It offers an encouraging example of how early engagement in research, international academic exposure, and sustained effort can open doors to advanced study at leading universities abroad.

UD Media