Opportunities for architecture students to earn prestigious global scholarships

On the morning of April 19, 2025, the thematic seminar "Approaching prestigious scholarship programs for architecture students" took place at Campus 1 of Van Lang University. The event welcomed leading experts, business representatives, and numerous architecture students.

Organized by the Faculty of Architecture, the program aimed to connect students with global learning opportunities, providing insights into building an impressive personal application and developing essential skills to secure full international scholarships.

Dr. Arch. Do Phu Hung, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, expressed his honor in welcoming experienced speakers from various fields. According to him, the seminar not only helped students identify the necessary skills to access valuable domestic and international scholarships but also encouraged them to learn, open up, and proactively shape their career paths.

The first speaker was Architect Ton That Liem, who had earned two full scholarships in Sweden and Japan. During his presentation, he shared his journey of building his scholarship application - from the initial steps to successfully achieving prestigious international scholarships. He particularly emphasized the importance of personality and individuality in an application, encouraging students to confidently showcase their uniqueness rather than conforming to a predetermined mold. A successful scholarship application is not only judged by academic achievements but also by the ability to demonstrate independent thinking, creativity, and responsibility in career planning.

Following the first speaker, Ms. Arch. Nguyen Dang Truong Lam provided an in-depth perspective on modern architectural thinking through his presentation on “Masters’ House – Bauhaus, Dessau”. As the only Vietnamese representative to have participated in an artist residency program at the Bauhaus School in Germany, he guided the audience in visualizing the spirit of constant innovation—a core value of the Bauhaus movement. He emphasized the importance of maintaining an open mindset, being ready to break conventional boundaries, and embracing new values to shape modern architectural careers.

To offer students a practical and detailed understanding of scholarship application preparation, the seminar also welcomed three speakers from ANT Study Abroad Consultant Co., LTD: Master Doan Thi Thuy Trang, Ms. Bui Ngoc Trinh, and Ms. Truong Viet Khanh Trang. Their presentation covered essential steps for building an effective scholarship application, from selecting appropriate content to crafting a compelling narrative. A strong application is not just about presentation; it must clearly reflect architectural thinking, career orientation, and personal development in an international environment.

The speakers' insights opened up new perspectives for students on portfolio development, design thinking, and study strategies—key factors for obtaining prestigious international scholarships. Notable scholarships such as the Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship, Fulbright (USA), Chevening (UK), DAAD (Germany), and MEXT (Japan) offer incredible opportunities for talented, visionary, and creative architecture students. Additionally, leading universities such as Harvard, MIT, ETH Zurich, and the University of Tokyo frequently offer full and partial scholarships to students with outstanding portfolios and clear academic plans.

The Q&A session, hosted by Ms. Arch. Nguyen Hoang Thao Phuong, a lecture at The Faculty Of Architecture, attracted enthusiastic participation from students. Many practical questions were raised about scholarship requirements, interview experiences, and career directions after completing international studies.

Through insightful discussions and specific guidance, architecture students were encouraged to reflect on their own strengths, set learning goals, and develop skills to pursue prestigious global scholarships. This foundation will help young architects confidently enter the international market, embracing both integration and personal identity while contributing to sustainable and aesthetically rich living spaces for communities and society.

News: Thuy Tram
Photos: Tram Le