Among more than 3,500 new bachelor’s degree holders of the class of 2025 at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (HCMUE), Le Phan Thao Nghi, a recent Psychology alumna, stands out for her Excellent graduation result and an inspiring research journey deeply connected to school mental health.
Le Phan Thao Nghi – The Psychology major with a passion for rresearch and a four-year journey of determination at HCMUE to reach remarkable milestones
Thao Nghi’s passion for research began in her sophomore year, when she first encountered the course “Research Methodology and Methods in Psychology.” Building on that initial foundation, Nghi soon set her sights on pursuing academia — driven by both a love for theory and a desire to produce works of genuine practical value in education and adolescent mental health care.
That journey led Thao Nghi to become one of the core members of a student research team carrying out the project “Emotion Regulation in Students with Symptoms of Depression: A Mindfulness-Based Intervention Trial Evaluated through EEG Signals and Behavioral Observation.” This outstanding study won First Prize at the 2024 Science and Technology Awards for Students in Higher Education Institutions. Highly applicable in the current context where many students face academic pressure and show signs of depression, the project stands out for its innovative approach — combining electroencephalography (EEG) with behavioral observation to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions, moving beyond traditional methods that rely heavily on subjective questionnaires.
Under the supervision of Dr. Giang Thien Vu, the team brought their six-week intervention program to a lower secondary school. The results spoke for themselves: students reported sleeping better, feeling less anxious, becoming more aware of their emotions, and opening up more to those around them.
Thao Nghi, a core member of the Psychology student team researching mindfulness-based depression interventions using EEG and behavioral observation.
Notably, Thao Nghi was deeply involved in the research while also helping to shape the project’s academic foundation: refining the theoretical framework, developing the assessment process, and closely monitoring EEG analyses to ensure scientific reliability. Behind the achievement were hundreds of quiet working hours — from learning how to ask the right questions, persevering through noisy data, to maintaining a spirit of rigorous critique and unwavering research ethics.
Thao Nghi and her research team receiving the 2024 “Science and Technology Award for Students in Higher Education Institutions
Reflecting on her experiences at HCMUE, Nghi emphasized the wholehearted support of the lecturers in the Psychology Department, whom she saw as not only teachers but also sources of inspiration and confidence for their students. For her, they were more than classroom instructors — they were quiet companions throughout every step of the students’ academic and personal growth. From offering small suggestions that help shape research topics to patiently correcting every detail in data analysis, teachers are always present with patience, openness, and a deep respect for students as future colleagues.
“Beyond knowledge, my lecturers have nurtured in me an academic spirit and a strong sense of research ethics,” Nghi shared.
Aside from winning the highest award at the Ministry level, Thao Nghi’s journey was also marked by scientific publications, presentations at international conferences, and recognition from her academic advisors. Yet for her, these accolades were not merely destinations, but acknowledgments of a persistent journey. There were moments when this young alumna questioned whether she had the capacity to pursue research seriously — doubts that were not just those of a young student, but formidable challenges in the quest for knowledge. Instead of giving up, Nghi chose to move forward step by step, learning from mistakes, honing her skills, and holding on to one belief: “As long as I don’t stop, I will surely improve.”
Le Phan Thao Nghi’s journey at HCMUE was marked not only by remarkable achievements but also by the inspiration she conveyed — a commitment to honest, human-centered research and the courage to step outside her comfort zone in exploring her own limits. Every experience, whether a success or a setback, became a valuable opportunity to grow — not just in academic pursuits but also in ways of thinking and living. “Most importantly, give your best so that, when you look back, you will have no regrets about missing any chance to grow and contribute,” Nghi advised.