Phuc Khanh: From a quiet student to a dreamer in the digital age

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

This quote is not only a favorite of Nguyễn Hoàng Phúc Khánh (Grade 12A, SenTia School), but also a guiding light that helped this tech-loving student overcome his boundaries and proudly secure a prestigious 70% government scholarship from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) – ranked among the top 70 universities in Asia (U.S. News 2025).

From a young age, Khánh was captivated by technology. “I vividly remember the first time I watched a tech product launch—it was mesmerizing to see how everything worked. At 12, I signed up for a programming course by myself.” This passion continued to grow, blending with his strong aptitude in science and math, and led him to clearly pursue Computer Science. Khánh has always believed that if you dare to dream and put in the effort, your dreams can become reality.

Khánh joined SenTia in Grade 10, but adjusting to a new environment was far from easy. Naturally quiet and reserved, he initially found it difficult to open up to new friends, adapt to a new way of learning, and fit into an unfamiliar setting. His comfort zone was the digital world he had built for himself.

But those barriers gradually faded thanks to the patient guidance of his homeroom teacher, Ms. Hằng, and his Math teacher, Ms. Đoàn Phương. Gentle conversations, understanding glances, and kind reminders slowly reached Khánh’sheart. He began to open up, practicing speaking in front of the mirror to get used to his voice and image. These small but consistent efforts gradually helped him shed his shell.

Initially, studying abroad wasn’t even a consideration for Khánh or his family. But by Grade 12, with impressive scores—IELTS 7.5 and SAT 1510—combined with strong encouragement and support from his teachers, Khánh and his family made a bold decision: “Let’s give our all and apply for a scholarship abroad.” What followed was a real race against time: preparing applications, practicing interviews, joining extracurricular projects—all within a few short months of his final school year. Khánh approached this with a clear strategy: instead of spreading himself thin, he focused solely on his chosen major and a targeted list of schools. He believed Singapore was the ideal environment for technological growth both now and in the future.

And the results spoke for themselves. Beyond SUTD, Phúc Khánh also received offers from several other respected universities:

– VinUniversity (Vietnam) – 70% scholarship

– Swinburne University of Technology (Australia) – 30% scholarship

– Singapore Management University (SMU)

Reflecting on his three-year journey at SenTia, Khánh sees a tremendous transformation—from a quiet student to someone who dares to speak up, take risks, and chase his dreams. “I don’t even know how to express my gratitude fully. I want to sincerely thank all the teachers who supported me from the beginning—those who listened, understood, and patiently guided me, helping me grow and become more confident every day.” When asked about his time at SenTia, Khánh shared: “I truly believe that at SenTia, I’ve grown into a happy version of myself.”

But Khánh’s dream doesn’t stop with himself. Through his projects, he’s also brought technology closer to underprivileged youth in remote areas—helping them discover programming through simple lines of code in Python. These small beginnings are setting the stage for new technological horizons.

SenTia is incredibly proud of you, Phúc Khánh! Your story is a shining example: When you dare to change, believe in the beauty of your dreams, and work tirelessly for them, you are building a bright and meaningful future.We wish you continued success, endless creativity, and brilliance as you shape your path in the world of technology!