From a Small Lab to Big Dreams: A Young STEM Student’s Journey to Becoming Her Own Number 1

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Nguyễn Thị Khánh Diệu, a student at the Phenikaa University School of Engineering, is not only talking about technology. She is telling the story of Vietnamese youth: daring to take risks, daring to dream, and staying committed to becoming the “Number 1 version” of themselves.

A Turning Point: From Textbooks to Circuit Boards

Born in Hà Tĩnh, Diệu spent three years preparing for the A1 exam block, but she was also the top scorer in the D block at Lý Tự Trọng High School and earned nearly 28 points to enter the Banking and Finance program at the Foreign Trade University. It seemed her path was already set — stable, predictable, and “suitable for girls.”

But life sometimes opens a different, more daring and vibrant path. When she received a full scholarship from Phenikaa University, Diệu made a bold turn into Electrical and Electronics Engineering — entering a world of components, circuits, and electromagnetic waves that she had never touched before.

Nguyen Thi Khanh Dieu in the lab with friends exploring the world of biomedical engineering

Her first year was a shock. She had to “start over” with electromagnetics, circuit simulations, and programming. But instead of giving up, she chose to stay energized, keep her passion alive, and push forward each day — true to the spirit of young people who remain determined and don’t back down.

Every night, long after the lab lights were off, Diệu stayed behind, working through lines of code and antenna simulations that failed dozens of times as she tried to figure out why the radiation pattern still didn’t meet the standard.

Whenever stress hit, she reached for a bottle of Number 1, twisted it open, and took a sip.

“The strong, refreshing taste of Number 1 always wakes me up immediately, helping me focus and stay motivated. I tell myself, ‘Just try a little more.’ Then I sit back down and continue the simulation,” Diệu said with a smile.

From those sleepless nights, she realized the most valuable thing wasn’t the results — but the feeling of becoming stronger and more persistent with her chosen passion. And through every challenge, Number 1 was her companion, helping her push past limits and become a better version of herself.

From Lifeless Components to Human-Centered Technology

Her path led her to antenna design — a field often associated with telecommunications but one that opened a more human-centered direction: medical devices and healthcare technology.

For Diệu, antennas are “a bridge between technology and human life.”

Nguyen Thi Khanh Dieu energizes and nurtures the passion for biomedical technology research, spreading the spirit of "steadfast passion, never giving up" among the young generation of Vietnam.

A tiny antenna in a heart-rate monitoring patch or a sensor transmitting signals to a remote medical center — that is when engineering becomes meaningful.

“Technology only matters when it serves people,” she said. “Every antenna simulation or biomedical sensor I work on isn’t just technical work — it’s a small step toward making life safer.”

Late at night, alone in the lab with only the glow of the computer screen and the steady hum of cooling fans, she would open a bottle of Number 1. The crisp “pop” of the cap brought a burst of energy. One sip was enough to wake up the fire inside her.

In the world of electric circuits and electromagnetic waves, Khanh Dieu always maintains positive energy with Number 1 to persistently pursue her passion for biomedical technology research.

“Whenever I feel close to my limit, Number 1 helps me regain clarity and focus. It teaches me how to stand firm under pressure and rise stronger after every challenge,” she said.

With that spirit, she achieved impressive milestones: five international scientific publications (three as the first author), the 2025 Vietnam Outstanding Female Student in Science and Technology Award, and appearances at both domestic and international conferences.

Behind those achievements are countless failures — but also proof of her belief: “No road is too long — only people who lack the passion to walk it.”

For Diệu, each research day, each night spent refining antenna simulations feels like being recharged. Sometimes, just a single sip of icy Number 1 is enough to stay alert, focused, and fueled to keep the fire alive and become her best self.

The Number 1 Journey: From a STEM Student to an Inspiration for Millions of Young Vietnamese

If rapper Đen — Number 1’s brand ambassador — tells his story of passion through music, then Khánh Diệu tells hers through antennas and circuits.

Both represent the young generation of Vietnam: daring to dream, daring to act, quietly but persistently climbing toward their goals, no matter how difficult the path.

For Diệu, each trial-and-error loop, each faulty simulation is just another “bend in the road” — necessary for becoming a better version of herself.

From a small lab to big dreams, Nguyễn Thị Khánh Diệu is the image of young Vietnamese people — always energized, always passionate, always striving to become their own “Number 1.”

Her story is not just the journey of a young researcher. It reflects thousands of students in labs, engineers working through the night, and young people who keep fueling themselves to move forward.

And somewhere in workshops, classrooms, labs, or studios, millions of young Vietnamese — from workers and engineers to doctors, teachers, and artists — are quietly but tirelessly following their passions, daring to dream, daring to conquer, and refusing to stop.

Because the journey upward is never a race against others — it is the journey of staying energized and passionately persistent to become the Number 1 version of yourself.

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