Majoring in the highly competitive field of computer science and engineering, La Nguyen Gia Hy graduated early with top honors and a perfect GPA of 4.0/4.0 from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.

A former math prodigy with a national award

Among more than 1,000 graduates recognized in the university’s fourth graduation round of 2025, La Nguyen Gia Hy stood out by graduating one semester early and earning a perfect GPA of 4.0.

He also holds an IELTS score of 8.0, received the "Five-Star Student" award, was named an outstanding all-round student, and scored 9.4 on his graduation thesis.

A former student of the High School for the Gifted in Mathematics at Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, Hy was directly admitted to the university after winning second prize in the national mathematics competition.

Hy chose to major in artificial intelligence (AI) because of a childhood fascination with the field’s remarkable capabilities. His passion was especially ignited by learning about AI systems capable of playing complex board games, such as Google's AlphaGo, which defeated the world’s top Go player - a task long considered extremely challenging for computers.

In recent years, the emergence of generative AI models like ChatGPT and Deepseek has only deepened Hy’s curiosity. University courses such as machine learning and introductory AI provided a solid academic foundation, further affirming his passion and long-term goals in the field.

While studying at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Hy participated in several research and technical projects in AI, including the university’s chatbot for admissions consulting and an AI-based waste classification system.

Hy is currently a member of the URA research group led by Associate Professor Quan Thanh Tho. The group focuses on enhancing responsiveness and personalization in the university's admissions chatbot.

He is also the lead author of a scientific paper developed from his graduation thesis, which has been submitted to a Rank B international conference and is under peer review, with results expected in mid-May.

Three key strategies for early graduation and academic excellence

According to Gia Hy, his outstanding achievements stem from strategic academic planning and efficient use of time throughout his studies.

First, he proactively studied foundational and specialized subjects during summer breaks, giving him more time for revision and major assignments during regular semesters.

Second, he thoroughly read textbooks to gain deep understanding, rather than relying solely on lecture slides. Hy also sought supplemental materials from YouTube and practiced with exam papers from other universities to broaden his perspective.

Third, he carefully studied the university’s academic regulations to build a smart course roadmap. A key requirement was completing a specialized project before the graduation thesis. Hy completed his project early in the second semester of his third year, allowing for a lighter final semester and time to retake courses he wanted to improve.

Despite his success, Hy admitted that he didn’t score well in some courses on the first attempt. For example, in Political and Legal Education, he initially focused on videos and past exams instead of studying the textbook. After adjusting his approach, he earned an A.

The only subject in which he scored 7.5 was Principles of Programming Languages, considered one of the toughest courses in the computer science department.

To balance academics and research, Hy relaxes by reading and listening to music. He actively studies English for leisure and plays sports on weekends to stay physically fit and mentally positive.

In the next two to three years, Gia Hy plans to pursue postgraduate studies specializing in AI while continuing to engage in real-world AI application projects.

Associate Professor Quan Thanh Tho, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, shared: “Hy is an exceptional student with a strong academic foundation, excellent self-learning skills, and a serious attitude toward both study and research.”

According to Prof. Tho, Hy demonstrated initiative and eagerness while working in his research group. He independently explored advanced materials, grasped concepts quickly, and was unafraid to propose new approaches. Prof. Tho praised Hy’s willingness to learn, his ability to work independently, and most of all, his responsible and serious work ethic.

Le Huyen