After working at the DTU Center for Research and Development for the past two years, Ho Khac Hieu has had eight papers published internationally. Recently, he was the youngest person in Vietnam to be granted an Associate Professorship at the age of 31.
Ho Khac Hieu was born in Dong Ha, in Quang Tri province, in 1984. He always loved science and had to overcome several obstacles to pursue his dream of being a great researcher.
Khac Hieu at the DTU Center for Research and Development
In 2002, Hieu entered the VNU University of Science and was selected as a special Talented Undergraduate in Physics. Unfortunately his father passed away when he was just a first year student and his mother had to work hard every day to support the family. When Hieu was at university he won many awards, including “Distinguished Student of Hanoi National University in 2003 and 2005” and “Excellent Student in 2004 and 2006”.
In 2006, Hieu graduated with a score of 8.6 and was accepted by the VNU University of Science to pursue a postgraduate PhD course, after being exempted from studying for his Master’s degree, while he was lecturing at the Hanoi Construction University.
In 2012, Hieu left Hanoi for Danang and started working at the DTU Center for Research and Development under the “Attract Talent” policy. According to Professor Sci Vu Xuan Quang, director of the center, Hieu and his colleagues have already made a significant contribution to the development of Physics in the Central Region.
“We are able to conduct our research in a state-of-the-art working environment at DTU. We don’t have to worry about earning a living. We merely focus on doing our research and reaping the rewards”, said Hieu. Professor Quang added: "Hieu received a Vietnamese PhD degree, which differentiates him from his colleagues, all of whom graduated overseas. He has quickly produced several papers, whereas the foreign researchers normally only complete one to two a year. Hieu has special skills in theoretical research which are difficult to match".
Dr. Vo Thanh Hai, DTU Vice-Provost, said: “DTU has now developed a staff of young PhDs who graduated in Vietnam and we consider them all to be invaluable. As a 2015 Professorship candidate, Hieu scored 12 points, which is double the minimum requirement”.
(Media Center)