Seeding a Global Vision: How the Hoc Mai Scholarship Launched Ms. Minh Hang Duong's Career

Ms. Minh Hang Duong's professional journey is a testament to her dedication to medical research and global health, with the Hoc Mai scholarship playing a pivotal role in shaping her career. As a 2017 alumna of the Hoc Mai Foundation’s elective exchange program at the University of Sydney, Australia, this opportunity was not just a scholarship but a gateway that exposed her to international medical practices and research, setting the stage for her career trajectory. This experience in Australia was one of the stepping stones that enabled Ms. Minh Hang to bridge cultural and professional gaps, enhancing her global medical perspective.

Her scholarly journey didn’t stop there; it spanned continents, taking her to the University of Tsukuba in Japan through the Japan – Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science, and further to the Netherlands where she was awarded the Erasmus MC scholarship at the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands for two consecutive years. These scholarships in three different continents underscored her commitment to medical excellence and health research, enriching her educational and professional background with diverse experiences and knowledge.

Her career has been significantly influenced by her international training and collaborations, notably her service with the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, where she worked on projects under the collaboration of WHO, US CDC and the Vietnam Ministry of Health. This role not only allowed her to contribute to vital health initiatives but also to apply the global perspective and research skills she developed through her scholarships and international experiences.

The Hoc Mai scholarship was the catalyst for Ms. Minh Hang's career, setting her on a path of international collaboration, research, and recognition. It shaped her into a medical professional who not only values the importance of global health perspectives but also actively contributes to advancing medical knowledge and practice across borders. Ms. Minh Hang's journey reflects a profound commitment to leveraging international experiences for the betterment of global health, embodying the essence of what it means to be a globally minded medical practitioner.