Lê Văn Tấn (second from left) receiving his Bachelor’s degree with Distinction in Artificial Intelligence at the graduation ceremony of VNUHCM-University of Science.

Lê Văn Tấn, an early graduate from the inaugural cohort of the Artificial Intelligence programme at VNUHCM-University of Science, earned his degree with Distinction after overcoming a delayed start and charting a pioneering academic journey.

Four years ago, Lê Văn Tấn joined VNUHCM-University of Science through what he describes as a “delayed fate.” As a former independent candidate, he entered university one year later than his peers. Yet this unexpected detour led to a unique opportunity: he became one of the first students enrolled in the newly established Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme at HCMUS—a rigorous and promising academic discipline. Four years later, Tấn graduated early with an outstanding academic record and a profound sense of pride in the institution that shaped his journey, carrying with him a desire to return and contribute to the very place where he matured.

A Delayed Start to the Right Path

For Lê Văn Tấn, the decision to pursue AI at HCMUS was an unexpected but meaningful turning point. In his first university entrance attempt, he missed admission to his preferred programme. Rather than giving up, he chose to retake the examination. That “one-year delay” became a hidden opportunity—had he passed the previous year, the option to enrol in the AI programme would not have existed, as the programme was only introduced the following year.

From his secondary school years, Tấn had held a deep interest in mathematics, particularly in applied problems. His early knowledge of AI consisted of fragments—stories of AI defeating humans in the game of Go or video recommendations on YouTube. These seemingly simple and unfamiliar phenomena sparked his curiosity. Upon discovering that AI lies at the intersection of mathematics, programming, and logical thinking, he recognised a clear academic path to pursue.

Upon entering university, Tấn did not come from a specialised high school, nor did he possess a strong programming background. What he did bring was a hunger for learning. His first course—Introduction to Programming, taught by Dr Phạm Nguyễn Sơn Tùng—was both a formidable challenge and an academic launchpad. “Dr Tùng taught more than just technical content—he offered guidance on career development and ways of thinking. That was invaluable to me, particularly as a first-year student,” Tấn recalled.

The First Cohort, Without a Precedent

As a member of the inaugural cohort of the AI programme, Tấn had no senior students to look up to. In their place stood a meticulously designed curriculum—beginning with a solid mathematical foundation and progressing to key specialisations such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. These knowledge modules, though initially disjointed, gradually integrated through advanced coursework. Most notably, during his graduation thesis, under the close supervision of Dr Nguyễn Tiến Huy and Dr Lê Thanh Tùng, Tấn gained deeper insight into the discipline and its real-world relevance.

Early Graduation as a Beginning, Not an End

Graduating with a GPA of 9.1, Lê Văn Tấn received his bachelor’s degree with Distinction and was awarded a certificate of merit by the Chancellor of VNUHCM. Yet for Tấn, the greatest source of pride lay not in numbers but in the journey undertaken with HCMUS to reach that point. From his first year, he resolved to graduate early—a decision that required enrolling in additional modules each semester, facing greater pressure, and sacrificing significant personal time.

Tấn designed a long-term academic strategy: researching the curriculum, prioritising subjects logically, and committing to each module with the mindset of “learning once”—studying deeply and thoroughly. When faced with challenges, he explored further readings, discussed with peers, or sought support from lecturers. “There were days I spent an entire afternoon just trying to grasp a single concept,” he shared.

A Community That Sustained the Journey

As a student from a rural province living independently for the first time, adapting to life in Ho Chi Minh City posed challenges—from daily routines and budgeting to managing personal responsibilities. During such times, Tấn found encouragement in regular calls from his parents, which served as a vital source of emotional strength. Equally essential was the close-knit group of classmates who studied and persevered together through countless assignments and exams.

Outside the classroom, Tấn actively participated in academic competitions, online AI projects, and community groups. These engagements allowed him to apply classroom knowledge to practical problems and build a foundation that led to his early employment as an AI engineer at OPSWAT Software Vietnam. Looking ahead, he intends to pursue postgraduate studies and hopes to return to HCMUS—either as a lecturer or as a link between academia and industry. “HCMUS has given me so much. If I am fortunate enough, I hope to give back—even just a small contribution—to help the next generation go further,” he said.

Asked to summarise his four-year journey, Tấn quoted Albert Einstein: “Anyone can know. The point is to understand.” This principle has guided his studies, professional aspirations, and way of life since his very first day at university.

Building Future-Ready AI Engineers

The road ahead for AI education at HCMUS is long and full of potential. Early milestones—such as the graduation of students like Lê Văn Tấn—serve as the seeds of progress. Generations of students continue to study diligently, striving with determination, and affirming confidence in a future shaped by AI engineers who are not only technically capable, but also ethical and socially responsible.

Pioneering AI Education in Southern Viet Nam
Launch Year	2021
Institution	VNUHCM-University of Science
Programme Levels	Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Focus Areas	Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing
Academic Staff	Experienced and research-active teaching team
Laboratory Facilities	Modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure
Total Investment	Over VND 70 billion

Translated by PMN