From MDP to RMIT University Vietnam: VietHope Scholar Awarded a Full RMIT – Non-profit Organisations Opportunity Scholarship 2026
In 2026, nine non-profit partner organizations of RMIT University Vietnam nominated outstanding candidates for the prestigious RMIT – Non-profit Organisations Opportunity Scholarship (known in Vietnamese as Chắp cánh Ước mơ). Following a rigorous selection process of application reviews and competitive interviews, only four full scholarships were awarded. We are immensely proud to announce that Tran Thi Thu Thao, a student from Nguyen Chi Thanh High School in Hue, is one of the distinguished recipients. Thao was a scholar of VietHope’s Merit Development Program (MDP) from 2023 to 2026.
A Scholar of Words
Throughout 12 years of schooling, Thao was recognized as an outstanding student every single year. Rather than limiting herself to the classroom curriculum, she actively pursued self-directed reading and deepened her understanding of every subject.
Her truest passion, however, lies in literature. Thao’s writing seamlessly balances sharp analytical reasoning with profound emotional resonance. Unsurprisingly, her record of achievements is closely tied to the written word:
- Grade 10: Third Prize, Provincial UPU International Letter Writing Competition.
- Grade 11: Honorable Mention, Provincial Academic Excellence Competition in Literature.
- Grade 12: City-level Academic Excellence Competition in Literature, securing both Third Prize (Specialized Division) and Honorable Mention (General Division).
- National High School Graduation Examination: An impressive score of 9.25/10 in Literature.
Behind the Pages
Behind those evocative pages lies a challenging family reality. Thao grew up in a region frequently hit by severe weather and natural disasters. Her parents earn an unstable living through manual labor, and their health has declined with age and illness. Meanwhile, several of their children are still in school.
Despite severe financial hardship and limited educational resources, Thao never complained or thought of giving up. She persevered quietly, driven by a simple dream: to use her education to change her future and ease her parents’ burden.
Three Years with MDP: Learning to Open Up
Since 2023, VietHope’s MDP scholarship has served as a vital anchor for Thao, covering her tuition fees and essential living expenses so she could focus fully on her studies.
Yet, what Thao cherishes most is her internal transformation. Through scholarship ceremonies, extracurricular activities, and warm sharing sessions, the once reserved and hesitant student gradually learned to find her voice.
“Being listened to and understood by VietHope’s team, mentors, and peers gave me the confidence to step out of my shell. I no longer hesitate to share my thoughts, aspirations, and personal journey,” Thao reflected.
Those three years also instilled in her a conviction that guides her today: “Hardships are only challenges, and education remains the most sustainable path to rise above adversity.”
The Journey to the Scholarship with VietHope
In the summer of 2026, when applications opened for the RMIT – Non-profit Organisations Opportunity Scholarship, VietHope’s MDP team worked side-by-side with Thao through every stage of preparation. VietHope guided her through her application and prepared a recommendation letter highlighting her family circumstances and perseverance. Before submission, her entire file underwent a thorough review to ensure alignment with RMIT’s criteria.
Upon advancing past the preliminary screening, Thao entered the interview round. VietHope organized tailored mentorship sessions and mock interviews to help her structure her narrative logically and articulate her story with confidence. The official interview took place in person at the RMIT office in Da Nang, with VietHope covering her travel costs from Hue.
A Moment of Disbelief
Although the award letter from RMIT arrived in Thao’s inbox in the morning, she did not open it until that evening.
“When the congratulatory message for the full scholarship appeared, I froze for a few seconds in absolute disbelief. I had to re-read every single line to make sure it wasn’t a dream.”
When Thao shared the news, her family was overcome with emotion. Her parents were overjoyed and deeply moved, knowing her dedication had been recognized. Yet, that joy was quickly met with a quiet wave of anxiety: Thao had never lived away from home and she would soon be moving to a distant city on her own.
“It is precisely that blend of pride, deep love, and parental worry that serves as my greatest motivation. It constantly reminds me to stay resilient, independent, and committed to striving even harder on the road ahead.”
For Thao, the scholarship represents not only a reward for countless late nights of study and perseverance under pressure, but also a testament to the dedicated support of VietHope and RMIT University Vietnam. More importantly, it provides a strong foundation for her to move forward with confidence.
A New Chapter at RMIT
On October 13, 2026, Thao, accompanied by the VietHope team, attended the scholarship award ceremony at RMIT. Two weeks later, on October 26, she officially embarked on her journey at RMIT’s Saigon South campus with the English for University program (SEUP) before transitioning into her Bachelor of Digital Marketing degree. She selected this major to combine creative strategy, data analytics, and technological innovation in the digital era.
“I strongly believe that Digital Marketing is an effective medium to amplify meaningful social messages and connect people in the most human ways possible.”
For now, Thao is focusing her efforts on mastering English while familiarizing herself with the credit-based system and teamwork to excel in her first semester. Beyond academics, she looks forward to actively participating in student clubs and sustainability projects.
Drawing inspiration from her own path, Thao has made a heartfelt commitment:
“Receiving this scholarship constantly reminds me of my responsibility to give back. I am eager to share my experience, mentor younger students, and support them on their own journeys toward their dreams.”
From a high school student in Hue to an international university campus, Thao’s journey stands as inspiring proof that persistent effort pays off. VietHope extends our heartfelt gratitude to RMIT University Vietnam for believing in Thao and giving her this life-changing opportunity. We wish Thao immense success as she steps confidently into her university years and continues writing her story. VietHope will always walk alongside her on the journey ahead!
bout the RMIT – Non-profit Organisations Opportunity Scholarship
Launched in 2014, the RMIT – Non-profit Organisations Opportunity Scholarship is RMIT University Vietnam’s full-ride scholarship initiative for talented young people with disabilities or facing severe financial hardship who lack the means to pursue higher education. The award granted to Thao covers 100% of tuition fees for both the English preparation program and the Bachelor’s degree, mandatory fees, a monthly living stipend of VND 6 million, housing support of VND 5 million per month, home travel allowances each semester, and a laptop to support her studies.
Learn more about the RMIT – Non-profit Organizations Opportunity Scholarship – RMIT University.
