The Common Formula Behind a New Generation of International University Scholarship Champions
Summary
Despite coming from different backgrounds and personal journeys, this new generation of international university scholarship champions is defined not only by academic excellence, but by a shared quality: resilience.
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At the recent Scholarship Awarding Ceremony, British University Vietnam (BUV) awarded hundreds of scholarships across 12 different categories to outstanding students nationwide.
The 2026 scholarship season also saw many outstanding students from provinces and cities across Vietnam, including Dien Bien, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, each bringing their own unique journey and story of growth. Many of this year’s strongest applicants stood out not only for their academic achievements, but also for their adaptability, leadership potential, and commitment to creating positive impact within their communities.
When resilience goes beyond academic achievement
Among the notable scholarship recipients this year was Tran Ngoc Bao Minh, a student from Foreign Language Specialised School, whose profile reflected the qualities of a young global citizen. With a GPA above 9.0 and an IELTS score of 8.0, she demonstrated not only strong academic capability but also an early passion for creative projects and community initiatives.
Bao Minh has published English-language books on Amazon, contributed to social media campaigns in collaboration with UNICEF and Vietnam’s Ministry of Health, and co-founded the non-profit project IELTS For All, which supports disadvantaged students with free learning resources. These diverse experiences helped shape a scholarship profile distinguished by leadership potential, creativity, and a strong sense of social contribution.
I’ve always believed that learning is not only about achieving good results, but also about understanding what kind of meaningful impact you want to create for the community and society around you. Receiving a scholarship from BUV motivates me to continue pursuing bigger projects and ambitions in the future.
Minh’s mother, Ms Van, shared that the family values a learning environment where students are encouraged not only to develop academically, but also to explore their individuality and independent thinking. “What matters to us is not just academic achievement or qualifications, but whether our child can grow in an open environment, gain real-world exposure, and feel confident pursuing the things she genuinely wants to create,” she said.
Resilience shaped through adversity
This year’s scholarship season also recognised many students from different provinces whose personal journeys reflected remarkable resilience and determination. Among them was Quang Van Son, one of two recipients of the Lion Heart’s Scholarship – awarded to individuals who demonstrate perseverance, resilience in overcoming adversity, and a commitment to creating positive impact within their communities.
Raised at the SOS Children’s Village Dien Bien Phu, Son previously pursued vocational training and worked in the service industry before deciding to return to academic study. These real-world experiences ultimately inspired him to continue his education and pursue a degree in International Hospitality Management. Alongside his studies, Son has also actively participated in community projects supporting disadvantaged young people in remote and underserved areas.
Reflecting on his journey, Son shared that becoming independent from a young age helped him realise that education could change the course of his future. “I hope that one day I can return to support the Thai community and the children at the SOS Village, so they can have more confidence and hope that their circumstances do not define their limits,” he said.
Son’s story reflects one of the core values behind the scholarship programme: expanding access to an international learning environment for young people with potential, resilience, and ambition – regardless of their background or where they come from.
Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President, BUV, emphasised:
A scholarship is not simply recognition of what students have achieved today, but also a reflection of the confidence we place in their future. What we value is not only their accomplishments so far, but the impact and values they will go on to create in the years ahead.
Through their different journeys, this new generation of scholarship champions demonstrates that resilience is not defined solely by academic achievement, but also by the courage to push beyond personal limits, adapt to change, and pursue ambitions that create positive impact for the wider community.
This also reflects BUV’s philosophy of “Here for the Future of Vietnam” in developing a new generation of global graduates ready to contribute to the country’s long-term growth and international standing. The university’s scholarship programme is built around the ACE model – Aspiration, Commitment, and Empowerment – expanding access to scholarships for students from a wide range of backgrounds, regardless of geography or financial circumstances.
This year’s scholarship recipients will continue their development within an educational environment shaped by BUV’s Triple Quality Framework, which combines recognition from Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, accreditation by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), and a QS 5-Star rating maintained for six consecutive years.
