Newly awarded PhD in International Studies: The most valuable thing is that I'm not alone.

"I am fortunate to have never had to go it alone. The professors in the International Studies department, Faculty of Politics and International Studies, have always been dedicated to guiding me, from building a theoretical framework, choosing research methods, limiting subjective analyses, to guiding the publication of scientific papers. This companionship has helped me grow every day," shared Dr. Tran My Hai Loc.

Throughout his studies, there were periods when he was simultaneously a graduate student, a university lecturer, pursuing a second degree, and undergoing health treatment. The biggest challenge was not only the workload but also maintaining the perseverance to continue his research. The support of his professors and an open academic environment became the driving force that helped him overcome the most difficult periods.

Thanks to this, Dr. Hai Loc not only completed his doctoral program on time within three years and received a Certificate of Merit from the University for outstanding academic and research achievements, but also had the opportunity to simultaneously receive two research scholarships from India and Taiwan (China) to support his dissertation and scientific publications.

His research topic on India's defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region from 2007 to 2024 was conducted based on numerous surveys and expert interviews in India. The thesis not only contributes academically by approaching defense cooperation from a soft power perspective, but also provides valuable insights for Vietnam's policy.

Before becoming a lecturer and researcher, Dr. Hai Loc worked for four years at the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. These practical experiences motivated him to pursue research to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of international relations and bring that experience back to the classroom.

Currently, Dr. Tran My Hai Loc is the Assistant Head of the Department of International Relations, University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City (UEF), and also a Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, Australian National University (Australia).

Looking back on his journey, he chose three words to describe his time as a graduate student: "Experienced – Special – Proud".

He shared: "Don't wait until everything is perfect to start. If you truly want to elevate your thinking and are willing to endure pressure to grow, boldly apply to become a postgraduate student at the Department of Political Science and International Studies. The department and the university have the necessary foundation; the only question is whether you dare to take the plunge."

The story of Dr. Tran My Hai Loc shows that the doctoral research journey, while challenging, also opens up great opportunities for growth. More importantly, behind every achievement is the support of mentors, a rigorous academic environment, and a community always ready to assist students in maximizing their potential.