Le Minh Chi

Name: Le Minh Chi
Country: Vietnam
Course: Master of Information Technology

Le Minh Chi's desire to be at the cutting edge of information technology has led him to Australia and Monash University, one of world's top 50 universities.

Fascinated since childhood with computers and technology, Chi is hoping to excel in a field that is revolutionising almost everything society does - the way it communicates, the way business is conducted and the way entertainment is experienced.

There are few industries where skilled professionals are as globally mobile, and Chi knows a qualification from a university of international quality such as Monash, serves IT professionals well.

After graduating from Da Nang University of Technology with a degree specialising in IT and telecommunications, Chi was awarded a Da Nang City Scholarship from the Vietnam government to pursue postgraduate study of the latest in IT advances at the overseas university of his choice.

He chose Monash because it ranks among the top 50 IT universities in the world, and is led by some of the industry's leading academics and researchers.

Monash is also the only member of the prestigious Group of Eight - Australia's leading research-intensive universities - to have a dedicated IT faculty.

"Monash is a very famous university, and I knew Monash had a global reputation for the quality of its IT graduates," Chi said.

"Careers in IT are rated very high in Vietnam, and I know with a good degree I can improve my chances of getting a good job, and earning good money."

To help students like Chi get started in their careers, Monash commits more than A$90 million a year to student scholarships. The Faculty of Information Technology offers several scholarships specifically designed for international students, and there are further rewards available for academic excellence.

Chi has been impressed with the first few months of the Master of Information Technology course, and the use modern technology in the classroom.

Every lecture is video taped and available online shortly after class, so Chi is able to review them in his own time, making sure he understands the advanced information.

Chi prepared for his Monash course by completing a 10-week English Language Bridging Program at the Monash University English Language Centre, one of Australia's largest and most prestigious language centres.

The program bridges the gap between students' previous English language qualifications and those accepted by Monash.

It also helps students focus on academic conventions, expectations and strategies of university study in a supportive and collaborative environment.

"The English language program can help every international student because it improves not only your language skills and knowledge, but you also learn study skills like presentation skills and how to choose the right academic materials," Chi said.

"And I found the program also helped me adapt to the environment and culture in Australia, which made it easier for me to study here."

Now settled in Australia Chi is excited by what the future holds.

"I have to work hard to do well in this course, study every day, but when I come back to Vietnam I know I will have the latest knowledge and be able to build a good career," Chi said.