Nguyen Nhat Que Tran: Turning Coding Errors into a Degree of Excellence”

Having spent nearly half a day just to find a minor bug in a programming assignment, and having felt under pressure upon seeing peers grasp concepts faster, Nguyen Nhat Que Tran still persistently moved forward with her choice. From a shy and less proactive girl, Tran matured through each module, project, internship, and academic competition, concluding her journey at the Faculty of Information Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University with a GPA of 3.64/4.0, two academic encouragement scholarships, two professional awards, and Summa Cum Laude graduation honors.

Starting from Curiosity and Being “Stuck” with the Very First Lines of Code

Nguyen Nhat Que Tran’s journey with Software Engineering did not begin with a pre-mapped career plan or an outstanding programming background. That choice stemmed from the curiosity of a girl who loved computers and often wondered how mobile applications and familiar websites were created.

Curiosity gradually turned into a desire to dive deeper into technology, to understand how a software product is formed, and to one day be able to build a product bearing her own hallmark.

“When choosing my major, I just thought simply that I liked computers and exploring technology. I was curious about how phone apps or websites were made, so I wanted to learn to understand them and build products of my own,” Tran shared.

During her research, Tran realized that the Software Engineering training program at Nguyen Tat Thanh University aligned with her goals, emphasizing practical application and enabling students to step-by-step approach the product development process. That was the reason she decided to enroll in the Faculty of Information Technology.

Before entering university, Tran also used to think Software Engineering was a difficult major, as this field is closely tied to programming, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills. However, she did not view gender as a barrier to her career choice.

“I always thought that if others could learn it, I could learn it too, maybe just needing to try a little harder. Therefore, I decided to give it a shot and, up until now, I have never regretted that choice,” Tran said.

That confidence was quickly tested when she began getting acquainted with her first programming courses.

There were assignments that took Tran a long time to complete. Sometimes, just a tiny error forced her to inspect every line of code for an entire afternoon. The pressure grew even heavier when Tran noticed that some classmates could grasp concepts and resolve issues faster than she could.

“In the beginning, everything was very new to me. There were exercises that took me ages to do; sometimes, just for a minor bug, I had to sit and search for a whole session. At times, I also felt pressured seeing other peers catch on faster,” Tran recalled.

Instead of letting self-doubt hold her back, she chose to spend extra time practicing on her own, proactively asking lecturers, and discussing with friends. For bugs she couldn’t find, Tran patiently went back to check from the very beginning. For areas of knowledge where she was still weak, she kept reading, practicing, and trying again in different ways.

Each time a program ran successfully after hours of debugging, it brought a small sense of joy. Through that, Tran gradually understood that Software Engineering is not a journey reserved exclusively for those who are “naturally gifted,” but for those who are resilient enough to keep learning after every setback.

Among the modules she passed through, Web Design left the deepest impression on Tran. While in foundational programming courses, results usually appeared as lines of text on a screen, with this module, she was able to directly build a website with a user interface, colors, images, and interactive functions for the first time.

The moment she saw the product she created display and function on a browser made Tran realize that lines of code, which seemed dry, could completely transform into a tangible, useful product carrying a personal touch.

“That was the first time I truly saw my product working. That feeling was very exciting and made me believe even more that I had chosen the right major,” Tran shared.

Nguyen Nhat Que Tran – a fresh graduate in Software Engineering from the Faculty of Information Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University – graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors and a GPA of 3.64/4.0, marking her university journey with two academic encouragement scholarships and two professional awards in the field of technology

Maturing in a Training Environment Tied to Practice and Research

What helped Que Tran step-by-step overcome her initial bewilderment came not only from personal effort but also from the learning environment at the Faculty of Information Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

According to the female fresh graduate, the highlight of the Software Engineering training program at NTTU is its practicality. Students do not just approach professional knowledge through lectures, but also regularly execute assignments, projects, and tasks aligned with the software development process.

Through each module, Tran became familiar with various stages, from requirement analysis, idea formulation, interface design, and functional development to testing, debugging, and product completion.

Learning, therefore, did not stop at memorizing a concept or using a programming language. Students had to know how to apply knowledge to solve a specific requirement, coordinate with team members, and take responsibility for the quality of the group’s product.

“During my studies, I didn’t just learn theoretical knowledge but also had opportunities to participate in many course projects, real-world projects, and practical activities. Thanks to that, I understand the software development process better and know how to apply what I’ve learned into reality,” Tran stated.

Another factor that left a strong impression on Tran was the companionship of the Faculty of Information Technology’s lecturers. In addition to delivering knowledge, the teachers shared working experiences, real-world scenarios, and requirements that students might encounter when stepping into a corporate environment.

Those insights helped Tran understand that someone working in the software industry needs more than just programming knowledge. The ability to communicate, work in teams, manage time, analyze problems, and adapt to changes are also crucial competencies.

Through each project, Tran learned to listen to members’ opinions, divide tasks, and handle emerging issues alongside her group. Through product presentations, she gradually learned how to pitch ideas, defend solutions, and answer questions related to her part of the work.

“Alongside professional knowledge, I also honed skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and problem-solving. Those skills make me more confident during my internship and help me adapt to the actual working environment,” Tran shared.

It was these very experiences that allowed a different version of Que Tran to gradually emerge.

On the first day of enrollment, she was quite a shy person, hesitant to communicate and rarely proactive in expressing her views before a crowd. Meanwhile, many modules at the Faculty of Information Technology require students to work in groups, present ideas, and defend products before lecturers.

For Tran, each presentation or project report was a step out of her comfort zone. Initially, she could not avoid feeling anxious when standing in front of many people. But through each module, Tran gradually learned how to organize content, articulate viewpoints, and become more confident when discussing her products.

“Compared to my first day at university, I see that I have changed a lot. From a shy, communication-averse, and less proactive person, I have gradually become confident and open-minded thanks to the companionship of teachers, friends, and the experiences during my studies at NTTU,” Tran said.

Not only maintaining stable academic results, Que Tran also proactively took her knowledge beyond the classroom boundaries through professional competitions and scientific research activities.

In 2025, she and her teammates won the Consolation Prize at the Data Science Competition and the Consolation Prize at the Software Engineering Competition. Tran also participated in the 27th Euréka Scientific Research Students Award in 2025, thereby gaining more opportunities to access research methodology, build ideas, and present topics before a professional committee.

While not placing heavy emphasis on achievements, these playgrounds became opportunities for Tran to validate her knowledge, identify missing points, and learn how to refine products against specific requirements.

“Through each participation, I learned more about my specialization, how to work in teams, and how to present an idea more clearly and convincingly. I think the greatest value lies not just in the awards but in what I accumulated during the preparation process,” Tran shared.

In addition to her milestones in professional arenas, Tran also received the academic encouragement scholarship from Nguyen Tat Thanh University for two consecutive academic years: 2022–2023 and 2023–2024.

Each award not only recognized her learning results but also served as a driving force for her to maintain seriousness, proactiveness, and resilience on her chosen path.

These experiences show that the learning environment at the Faculty of Information Technology, NTTU not only helps students accumulate knowledge in lecture halls but also encourages learners to participate in scientific research, test their limits at professional arenas, and step-by-step validate capabilities through real-world problems.

That journey was even more meaningful as Tran pursued a major where mles typically make up the majority.

In the beginning, she used to worry whether she could keep up with her peers, especially in courses demanding high programming capabilities and logical thinking. However, after a period of studying, Tran realized that gender does not dictate one’s ability to pursue technology.

“Teachers and friends are always ready to support one another, so I didn’t feel any difference or barrier just because I am female. In this environment, the most important thing remains the effort and learning spirit of each individual,” Tran affirmed.

According to the female fresh graduate, every person has their own strengths. For many female students, thoroughness, meticulousness, and patience can become advantages in the process of software development or testing.

In the tech field, sometimes just a minor oversight can affect the entire functionality of a product. Therefore, the ability to calmly check every step, pay attention to details, and persistently find root causes are exceptionally necessary qualities.

More importantly, the Software Engineering major always demands a spirit of self-study. Technology constantly changes; new tools, platforms, and methodologies ceaselessly emerge. Learners, therefore, must proactively update, experiment, and adapt instead of merely relying on existing knowledge.

That is also the spirit Tran trained during her years at the Faculty of Information Technology, NTTU: not fearing new knowledge, not being afraid of making mistakes, and not stopping when a solution has not been found.

To Nguyen Nhat Que Tran, Software Engineering is not a major that “picks and chooses” learners, but a journey for those who have enough passion, enough perseverance, and are ready to learn after each trial and error

An Excellent Degree and a Message to Girls Wishing to Pursue Tech

The final year of university was the most challenging phase for Que Tran.

During the same period, she simultaneously had to complete specialized modules, execute her graduation project, participate in internships, and get used to the requirements and pace of an actual working environment.

The consecutive workload caused Tran to feel exhausted and overloaded on more than one occasion. The biggest problem then was not only completing each task but also learning how to balance time, arrange priorities, and maintain motivation.

“There were times when I had to balance studying, working, and personal time, so I felt quite pressured. This was probably the most difficult period in my university journey,” Tran recalled.

During those times, family, teachers, and friends became crucial anchors.

Teachers supported Tran with knowledge and professional orientation. Friends shared experiences and resolved difficult tasks together. Meanwhile, family was the place that helped her regain composure after stressful days.

In particular, the person who instilled the most motivation in Tran was her mother.

Her mother does not understand technology; she cannot help her daughter fix a bugged snippet of code or explain a complex algorithm. When Tran said she wanted to study Software Engineering, her mother did not really understand what that major was or what kind of work her daughter would do in the future.

But her mother always trusted her choice.

“Whenever I faced pressure, felt exhausted, or doubted myself, my mother was always the one to listen and encourage me to keep trying. Even though she didn’t clearly understand my major, she still cared and asked about my studies every day,” Tran recounted.

What she appreciated most was that her mother never placed pressure regarding achievements. Instead, she gave her daughter the space to choose, experience, and mature through the path she decided on her own.

“That trust gave me more motivation and kept me grounded whenever I encountered difficulties. I feel truly lucky to always have my mother behind me, supporting and accompanying me throughout the university journey,” Tran expressed.

When learning that she graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors and a GPA of 3.64/4.0, Que Tran’s first feelings were surprise and happiness.

Throughout her studies, she did not place pressure on herself to attain a specific title. Instead, Tran focused on successfully completing each module, each project, and each small goal through every phase.

It was that very resilience that generated the final result.

“I just tried to complete each course and each goal well rather than putting too much pressure on achieving a certain title. Therefore, when receiving the results, I felt that the efforts throughout my university years had been rewarded,” Tran shared.

To the fresh graduate in Software Engineering, this achievement did not hold meaning for herself alone. It was also a word of gratitude dedicated to her family who always trusted her, teachers who dedicatedly guided her, and friends who accompanied her during difficult phases.

A GPA of 3.64/4.0 is a proud result. However, what Tran treasures above all else is the transformation within herself after her years of study at NTTU.

From a girl who was once bewildered before her first lines of code, Tran can now confidently build and present a product. From someone hesitant to communicate, she has learned to coordinate with a team, proactively discuss, and defend viewpoints. From times of doubting herself, Tran learned how to calmly face problems and persistently seek answers.

Sending a message to students, especially female students interested in Software Engineering, Tran believes that the first challenge to overcome is not a difficult course but the limits set by each person themselves.

“Do not let thoughts like ‘this major is hard’ or ‘it’s not for girls’ become barriers before you truly experience it. No one is good right from the start. What matters is whether you have enough passion, are ready to learn, and are persistent enough to pursue it,” Tran advised.

According to the fresh graduate, if young people are truly interested in technology, they should boldly give themselves a chance to try. The learning process will certainly have difficult moments, but each assignment, project, competition, or practical experience helps learners better understand their capabilities as well as their development paths.

“If you choose NTTU, I believe that with the dedicated guidance of teachers, a practice-linked curriculum, and the learning environment at the Faculty of Information Technology, you will have opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and confidence. Do not worry too much because you are a girl or feel that you are not good enough. Boldly pursue what you truly love,” Tran shared.

From the question of how familiar applications were created, Nguyen Nhat Que Tran has step-by-step walked toward an excellent graduation degree in Software Engineering.

The Faculty of Information Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University creates a learning environment integrated with practice, projects, academic playing fields, and professional experiences, helping students gradually transform knowledge into products, develop technological capacity, and stay ready to adapt to labor market demands

That was a journey of times when programs threw errors, sessions where she had to sit back longer, competitions needing continuous product refinement, and phases when it seemed hard to balance all tasks. But it was also during that very journey that Tran learned an important lesson for those pursuing technology: not fearing mistakes, not being hesitant to relearn, and not stopping when an answer has not been found.

The graduation degree at Nguyen Tat Thanh University closes a student chapter, while opening a new journey for Nguyen Nhat Que Tran to continue learning, adapting, and step-by-step creating technology products bearing her own hallmark.

Writer: Cam Thach

Photos: Provided by the character