Tran Thanh Nhan Duc, a former student of the University of Da Nang - University of Science and Technology (UD-DUT), has just received double good news: He has been awarded a PhD and accepted a position at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with a focus on developing the National Agricultural Ecosystem Model Project.

The journey of this former student, who was the second-highest ranked student in the entrance exam for the Faculty of Hydraulic Engineering, UD-DUT (in 2015), began with diligent study and creative work in the classroom, culminating in a scholarship to further his education abroad.

After graduating from university, Tran Thanh Nhan Duc received a full Erasmus Mundus scholarship for a Master's program in France, the UK, Poland, Germany, and Spain. 

With a solid foundation of knowledge and a spirit of striving for excellence in scientific research and practical application, this former student of UD-DUT not only received scholarships for graduate internships from three American universities (total value of USD 225,000) but also achieved a double: graduating with distinction in his Master's degree (specializing in Hydrological Informatics and Water Management, GPA 3.8/4.0) and receiving a PhD scholarship at the University of Virginia, USA (total value of USD 280,000).

During his graduate studies, Duc was entrusted by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) with the responsibility of Head of Flood and Inundation Management under the National Flood Insurance Program, overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), after successfully passing seven rigorous and objective selection rounds by specialized agencies.

With his colleagues, he successfully developed an AI application for local flood simulation calculations. As a result, Duc received scholarships from the American Water Resources Association (AWWA) and the State Water Environment Association (VWEA, 2024). 

This provides him with the opportunity, under the scientific guidance of Professor Venkataraman Lakshmi (University of Virginia, USA), to contribute his knowledge to early flood forecasting and prevention, and to directly participate in the National Water Resources Modeling Project of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

With the achievement of successfully defending his doctoral dissertation (within 3 years) and receiving an acceptance letter for a specialist position at the US Department of Agriculture, Mr. Duc not only received a salary and benefits (accommodation, research expenses, insurance, etc.) but also opened up future professional development opportunities in projects implementing the National Agricultural Ecosystem Model.

UD Media