Two female students from Nghe An with a passion for science were given special admission to the National Economics University.

Thai Thi Thuy Quynh was born into a family with a tradition of studiousness in the mountainous district of Quy Chau. Since her junior high school years, she has continuously achieved high scores in provincial level exams. Therefore, she is one of the few excellent students admitted directly to Huynh Thuc Khang High School.

During the first days away from her family to live independently in Vinh city, the 14-year-old girl was shy and lost in a new, dynamic environment, far different from where she used to live. At this time, her classmate Duong Khanh Linh encouraged Quynh to overcome the difficulties of the first time entering school. Since then, the two friends became close friends without realizing it.

What is more special is that both of them have the same passion for scientific research and love social sciences. Since then, both of them have worked hard to complete their studies and won many high prizes in science and technology competitions organized by the province and the country.

Thuy Quynh (middle) and Thai Linh (left) are listening to comments from experts on their research work at the 2018 Science and Technology Competition on the topic of skills to prevent sexual abuse. Photo: NVCC

Right from the second semester of grade 10, with their research project on the impact of grades on students, the two students breathed new life into the field of science and technology research at the high school level in their home province. They won the first prize of the province and the national encouragement prize respectively.

In 2018, with a research topic on skills to prevent sexual abuse in schools, the two students passed the school's rigorous assessment round to represent more than 500 12th grade students to participate in the Provincial Science and Technology Research Competition. Thanks to the logic and tightness in the argument, the project has brought high efficiency in the experimental process at many schools in Nghi Loc district, Vinh city and Quy Chau. From there, it brought remarkable success when the topic won the first prize in the province. Even more proudly, this research project also won the third prize in the national science and technology competition.

Quynh and Linh received third prize in the 2018 National Science and Technology Competition. Photo: NVCC

Looking at the list of achievements, many people admire the perseverance, will and determination of these two petite girls in pursuing their passion for scientific research. However, they remain humble, only admitting that they are "destined" to receive scientific research awards.

Sharing the secret to winning many awards at such a young age, Quynh and Linh said: “To carry out a truly quality scientific research project, you must learn and update yourself on current issues to apply them to practice. Especially in the process of carrying out the project, you must be truly persistent and not get discouraged when encountering difficulties and obstacles.

Finally, to complete the topic, each person must practice patience to listen to opposing opinions from their friends. Although there were times when the two disagreed, in the end they found the most effective direction.

Duong Khanh Linh (wearing white shirt, standing 3rd from right) received 3rd prize in the Letter to Mother contest organized by the Department of Education & Training, Nghe An Provincial Youth Union and Tien Phong newspaper in 2017. Photo: NVCC

In addition to their shared passion for scientific research, Quynh and Linh also have their own strengths. While Quynh is strong in English, Linh is a girl with an innate talent for Literature. In the 2016-2017 school year, Thai Thi Thuy Quynh won the National IOE Encouragement Prize, while Duong Khanh Linh won the Second Prize for Provincial Excellent Student in Literature and the Third Prize for "Letter to Mother" at the provincial level.

In front of the outstanding achievements of the two students, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien - homeroom teacher of class 12D1 could not hide her pride and shared: "Quynh and Linh are two students who are very passionate about scientific research, active and enthusiastic in class and school activities. These are the only two students of the school to be directly admitted to the National Economics University this year."