Blind female student lights up the beauty of digital knowledge

Female student Vu Thi Hai Anh received a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training for her excellent academic achievements and determination to overcome herself. Photo: Viet Ha

Female journalism student adapts to digital transformation

Attending the seminar "Who is a journalist? Where is journalism going when everyone is increasingly good at creating content?" organized by the Institute of Journalism and Communication - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU in collaboration with the Digital Cafe Club (CFS) brought visually impaired female student Vu Thi Hai Anh, 2nd year student, Public Relations, Institute of Journalism and Communication perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of journalists when artificial intelligence (AI) explodes, especially for people with disabilities.

Female student Vu Thi Hai Anh believes that artificial intelligence (AI) is truly a door opening to the world. Tools that convert text to speech, recognize images, read content via phone cameras or talking maps all help the disabled community in general and the visually impaired in particular no longer stand on the sidelines of the information flow. It can be said that AI is an invisible but powerful eye, helping the disabled “see” the world in a different way - not through light, but through data, through sound and connection.

However, along with opportunities come significant challenges, as not all people with disabilities have access to new technology. In addition, without proper training, the use of AI in journalism can easily lead to dependence on tools without critical thinking, professional ethics, and depth of content.

According to Vu Thi Hai Anh, journalists, especially those with disabilities working in the digital age, need to equip themselves not only with technological skills but also with professional qualities and a spirit of continuous learning. Because AI can support reporting, but only humans can tell stories with their hearts. And that is what creates lasting value for the media.

In the future, Vu Thi Hai Anh hopes to continue pursuing a career in communications, becoming a bridge to bring the voices of the disadvantaged closer to the community. Currently, she is nurturing media projects that combine technology to support people with disabilities, especially artificial intelligence platforms that provide equal access to knowledge, news, and public services.

In 2024, Vu Thi Hai Anh - Deputy Head of the Blind Student Network, in charge of project coordination, has participated in many activities to support the implementation of the project "Online public administration for people with disabilities" organized by the Vietnam Blind Association in collaboration with the Finnish Abilis Fund. Through solutions to improve public administrative services for people with disabilities, as well as blind people installing headsets and screen reader applications at points to support blind people to use services.

Vu Thi Hai Anh shared that the project includes specific activities: organizing training courses on skills in using public administrative services for people with disabilities of many different types; organizing the contest "Online Public Administration: Vision of the Future" to encourage creativity and raise awareness of people with disabilities about the benefits of online public administrative services; the program "A Happy Administrative Day" for children with disabilities at schools in Hanoi, helping students and parents better understand the importance of public administrative services in daily life; scientific research on the current situation of using public administrative services by people with disabilities, thereby proposing solutions to improve this situation; organizing the workshop "Perspectives of people with disabilities on digital transformation in the field of online public administration" with the participation of many agencies and experts in this field.

In addition to her role as a companion, Vu Thi Hai Anh drafted a set of documents guiding the use of online public administrative services specifically for people with disabilities of various types.

After the project, Vu Thi Hai Anh received a lot of feedback from people with disabilities who were supported by the training course and were able to register for temporary residence, temporary absence, and passport on the digital platform. This is a great joy and encouragement for those implementing the community project, contributing to Vietnam's national digital transformation goal by 2030.

Vu Thi Hai Anh actively participates in volunteer activities for the community. Photo: Moc Mien

Lighting up the beauty of digital knowledge

Born blind due to cataracts, her family was poor as her father was affected by Agent Orange, and her brother suffered from hypothyroidism and had to be treated regularly at a central hospital. Since childhood, Vu Thi Hai Anh had undergone many eye surgeries but her vision gradually decreased. Unable to see light, Vu Thi Hai Anh saw all daily activities with her ears and heart.

Living alone in Hanoi, Vu Thi Hai Anh studies, works part-time and takes care of her own life, never asking for special privileges or priorities. On the contrary, she proves her ability and will through each steady step - with a strong belief that: "Light comes not only from the eyes but also from the heart that bravely faces difficulties and challenges".

Over the years, Vu Thi Hai Anh has been a role model for young people who have made many contributions to meaningful community projects. The journalism student actively participated in the project “Promoting inclusive education and leadership capacity for all”, Vice President of the “Humanistic Stone Flower” Club, member of the Hanoi Sports Club for the Blind with active participation in meaningful community running events.

The second-year student has always maintained excellent student performance with outstanding grades and training. In recognition of her excellent academic efforts, Vu Thi Hai Anh was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training.

At the same time, with many contributions to the community, Vu Thi Hai Anh was honored with the "Beautiful Youth 2024" award presented by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union and the "Dedication to the community" award.

From a blind girl shyly stepping out into life, Vu Thi Hai Anh has become a flame that lights up the beauty of knowledge. Above all, she is a living proof that: living beautifully is a choice, and living to contribute is the most worthy journey of youth that no matter who you are, with or without disabilities, you can do.

Law and Society Newspaper: Blind female student lights up the beauty of digital knowledge