Nga Do has long been passionate about promoting equal rights for women. Now, as the second recipient of La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor Scholarship – Vietnam, she hopes this prestigious scholarship will help her transform gender roles across Asia and create a more sustainable society.
Awarded by Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Dr Stacey Farraway, the online ceremony was attended at the highest level by Acting Associate Provost (International), Professor Suzanne Young, and La Trobe International’s Vietnam Country Manager, Hieu Le.
As the world’s number two university for gender equality, La Trobe is the perfect place for Nga to strengthen her skillset and pursue her dreams.[1]
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar, also recorded a special video message for Nga, remarking “I believe you will reach your goals and make a very positive difference to society. Congratulations for this prestigious award and I hope I can personally welcome you to our campus once the border has reopened in the future.”
Nga has enrolled to study La Trobe’s Bachelor of Business (Marketing), commencing in July. The prestigious scholarship is worth almost A$100 000 and will cover 100 per cent of the tuition fees for her entire degree.
Learning to live inside her own skin
As a high school student, Nga engaged in a wide range of activities including outreach work, public relations, fundraising, website development, debating and attending Model United Nations Conferences.
Based on these diverse experiences, Nga chose to study marketing as a way to make an impact in the community. She hopes her studies will help her promote equal rights for women in Vietnam and across Asia.
“My passion for gender equality came from my inner desire to live comfortably in my own skin,” reflected Nga.
“In everything I do, I want people to judge me based on my education, my manner and my work – instead of my gender. I’ve met and known many women who are smart, kind-hearted and totally deserving of respect, yet their contribution is still undermined by the fact that they’re women.”
On a mission to change this, Nga believes even the most deep-rooted prejudices against women can be changed, creating a more just and sustainable society.
Harnessing the power of gender equality
Completely focused on her goal, Nga wants to use her marketing skills to empower women.
“Growing up in an Asian country that is still trembling under the remnants of outdated social norms, I realised how those viral commercials and their coverage helped reinforce gender stereotypes and lookism,” commented Nga.
“Yet, I also saw a possibility where marketing can translate its ability to influence into a means to promote affirmative change.”
After completing her Bachelor’s degree with La Trobe, Nga hopes to work for an advertising agency and transform gender norms across society.
Would you also like to be rewarded for your excellence?
If you’re a Vietnamese citizen, you may be eligible to apply for the Vice-Chancellor Scholarship. You could also be eligible for other region-specific international scholarships that provide tuition fee reductions of up to 30 per cent for selected courses. These scholarships are available to all citizens of the eligible countries – regardless of where you currently live
Find out if you’re eligible for one of the generous scholarships offered at La Trobe. Start your La Trobe degree online in Semester 2 and join us on campus once borders reopen.
[1] Times Higher Education (THE), 2021, Impact Rankings 2021
