With a GPA of 3.72/4.0, Vu Thi Thu Thao became the first valedictorian of the Institute of International Education, Academy of Finance in 2020.
She is currently an inspection specialist at the State Bank of Vietnam.
Persisting in Pursuing a Different Path
When enrolling in 2016, the name “DDP (Dual Degree Programme) Joint training program Each party awards a Bachelor’s degree between the Academy of Finance and the University of Greenwich” was still quite unfamiliar to many high school students, but Thảo remained determined to choose it.
“When researching information about the DDP program, I realized that this is the only program that simultaneously grants one Vietnamese university degree and one foreign university degree.
Vu Thi Thu Thao became the first valedictorian of the Institute of International Education, Academy of Finance in 2020 (first cohort). Photo: Courtesy of the subject
Graduates receive a Bachelor of Finance – Banking degree from the Academy of Finance and a Bachelor of Accounting – Finance degree from the University of Greenwich (UK). Upon graduation, they also have their qualifications recognized by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), which exempts them from all nine F‐level exams (from F1 to F9) within the framework of obtaining ACCA’s prestigious and globally recognized professional certifications in accounting and auditing.
Therefore, I chose it with the hope of increasing my employment opportunities upon graduation” – Thu Thao reiterated her reason for choosing the DDP program.
She is currently an inspection specialist at the State Bank of Vietnam. Photo: Courtesy of the subject
After four years of study, Thao realized that studying in a joint program leading to two official degrees cannot be “taken lightly” as many students might think. Thao almost had to attend classes at twice the frequency of students in other majors. That is not to mention the assignments as well as the three‐hour examinations required to complete courses oriented toward ACCA and the stringent requirements of the University of Greenwich.
Allocating study time effectively and having a reasonable learning strategy from the first year also helped Thao quickly integrate into the university environment and achieve her set goals.
“There are many ways to achieve a high GPA in university, such as participating actively in class or focusing only on key topics. However, I always invested more time in studying to truly understand the material, while also strengthening group study to share and fill in gaps in my own knowledge. Although it may take more time, it makes my four years of study meaningful” – Thu Thao confessed.
Avoiding Unpreparedness After Graduation Thanks to Early Preparation
Many students after graduation face difficulties adapting to the real‐world environment. However, with a curriculum that is highly application‐oriented and focuses on developing both knowledge, soft skills, and foreign language proficiency, Thao was confident from the moment she set her career direction.
Thu Thao registered for an internship at a major auditing firm from her second year at university. She had the opportunity to hone her working skills and directly apply the knowledge she had learned. There, she also realized that fresh graduates, in the eyes of employers, often lack three things: office IT skills, practical work skills, and the ability to adapt to the working environment.
“Actively participating in extracurricular activities, especially serving as a leader for events, also helps students become confident, dynamic, and enhances teamwork skills. Throughout my time at DDP, besides studying, I was always supported, accompanied, and encouraged by professors to join clubs and organize events.
It is thanks to the career guidance and thorough preparation during my university years that I was confident in applying for and passing the entrance exam to the State Bank of Vietnam. I also continued to leverage the dynamism from the DDP environment and was entrusted with developing Youth Union activities at the agency” – Thao said.
Giving Advice to Students Who Wish to Enroll in a Dual‐Degree Program, the female inspector advised that they must be sure they are persistent and diligent enough to ensure they can adapt to an English‐language environment; at the same time, they should make the most of their time to overcome the challenges in four years of study.
“The results afterward are incredibly rewarding if you aim to develop in the field of finance. Every major has its own difficulties, so make sure you will see it through once you have chosen it” – Thu Thao added.
Source: Van Cuong/laodong.vn
