BEYOND PREJUDICE: A BRIGHT ENGINEERING DREAM

During high school in Singapore under the ASEAN Full Scholarship, Gia Nghi discovered her profound connection with Physics through her teacher’s captivating instruction. Each lesson felt like a journey of exploration, and she often lingered over equations on the board, feeling a silent joy when she unraveled the principles behind seemingly random phenomena. The deeper she immersed herself in the subject, the closer the world seemed—a hidden language orchestrating everything around her, waiting patiently for her to decode it. This realization fueled her desire to delve deeper into the microscopic world of matter, nano-particles, and the mechanics of semiconductor materials.

The journey with Physics wasn’t always easy. During one conversation with a department manager about her aspirations, she was met with outright dismissal, told that as a girl, she didn’t need higher education and should settle for simpler work. This moment shook her confidence. But Gia Nghi realized that only constructive feedback from knowledgeable mentors was worth considering—unfounded prejudice had no place in her pursuit of dreams.

Later, during an internship, she met a Deputy Technical Director who shared stories of female leaders in engineering who had proven their worth through intellect and dedication. He also understood her research ambitions and clarified that her dream of working with high technology was far removed from the manual labor often mistakenly associated with the field. His support reinforced her belief that she was on equal footing with her male peers.

Gia Nghi also found solidarity in her dream through technical workshops in Singapore, connecting with professors, young engineers, and peers in her field. These interactions deepened her understanding of the industry and her own aspirations. She realized she wasn’t alone in this challenging journey—others shared her passion for materials engineering.

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A STRATEGIC PATH FORWARD

In grade 10, Gia Nghi began to take a more strategic approach. Maintaining top scores in STEM subjects, especially Math and Physics, became her primary goal. Consecutive A1 grades reflected her determination and academic rigor. She also competed in national academic contests, earning a top-five spot in a national math competition and a first-place award in Math and Physics—milestones that boosted her confidence in her chosen path.

In grade 11, she stepped out of her comfort zone, seeking new development opportunities. Gia Nghi applied for the competitive Nanyang Research Programme for high school students. She was the only student chosen to conduct specialized research on material engineering, studying energy transfer among rare earth elements in semiconductor structures to produce light. This research required her to learn programming, analyze complex scientific data, and present her findings before a panel of professors from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Her dedication earned her a prestigious Gold Medal and encouragement from the professors to continue her passion.

Not stopping at competitions and research, Gia Nghi also undertook the advanced H3 NTU course in Semiconductor Physics & Devices—a subject as challenging as first-year university coursework. By maintaining outstanding performance throughout grades 10 and 11, she qualified for and excelled in this program, achieving a Distinction grade as proof of her perseverance and commitment to semiconductors.

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LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Beyond academics, Gia Nghi devoted herself to community projects. She founded and led Erudito, an initiative to organize workshops about studying abroad in Singapore, providing practical information and skills for high school students. These webinars expanded to include partnerships with other Singaporean projects, offering English and Math preparation classes to support students applying for ASEAN scholarships. Thanks to Gia Nghi’s dedication, 20 students have since earned full high school scholarships. She believes every young person has untapped potential, often limited by a lack of information or confidence to pursue academic opportunities. Her mission is to inspire, empower, and enable them to seize their futures.

WHEN DREAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES POINT TO NUS

After years of perseverance, Gia Nghi received Full ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarships from three top Singaporean universities: the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU) for the 2025–2028 term. Faced with these prestigious offers, she found herself weighing her options carefully, as all three institutions offered equal quality and reputation, each with unique strengths.

NTU, the first to offer a scholarship, hosted engaging meet-ups, five-star luncheons with the top 20% of recipients, and inspirational talks by faculty members. These gestures fostered a sense of connection with the esteemed institution.

Meanwhile, NUS confirmed her scholarship swiftly and arranged meetings with the Assistant Dean of Engineering, offering her the chance to work with a Nobel Laureate on a project in her field of interest—a pathway aligned with her personal and professional growth.

Feeling torn, Gia Nghi sought advice from her mentor at MiYork, who reassured her: “When both options are excellent, it means you can’t go wrong. Trust yourself.” These words grounded her, and she ultimately chose NUS for its research opportunities, academic environment, and alignment with her long-held dream.

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A FUTURE SHAPED BY DETERMINATION

Gia Nghi’s decision marked not just a choice of university but a deep transformation in her thought process and vision for the future. She credits her mentors at MiYork, particularly Anh Khoa and Chị Tuyết, for their clear planning, practical advice, and unwavering support during her application journey.

During times of stress, when the weight of her workload became overwhelming, Gia Nghi leaned on MiYork mentors for emotional and academic guidance. Their support extended beyond academics, offering heartfelt understanding during her most challenging moments.

A BRIGHT JOURNEY AHEAD

MiYork congratulates Gia Nghi on her upcoming journey at the National University of Singapore and wishes her continued success and brilliance.

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