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 headed when everyone is becoming increasingly skilled at creating content?" organized by the Institute of Journalism and Communication Training - Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi in collaboration with the Digital Cafe Club (CFS) provided visually impaired student Vu Thi Hai Anh, a second-year student in Public Relations at the Institute of Journalism and Communication Training, with insights into the opportunities and challenges facing journalists in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), 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 through 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 the opportunities come significant challenges, as not all people with disabilities have access to new technologies. Furthermore, without proper training, the use of AI in journalism can easily lead to over-reliance on the tool, neglecting critical thinking, professional ethics, and the depth of content.

According to Vu Thi Hai Anh, journalists, especially those with disabilities, in the digital age need to equip themselves not only with technological skills but also with professional integrity and a spirit of continuous learning. Because AI can assist in news reporting, but only humans can tell stories from the heart. And it is this that creates lasting value in 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 platforms that apply artificial intelligence to help access knowledge, news and public services equally.

In 2024, Vu Thi Hai Anh - Deputy Head of the Network of Blind Students in charge of project coordination activities has had many activities to accompany and support the implementation of the project "Online public administration for people with disabilities" organized by the Vietnam Association of the Blind 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 using public administrative services for people with disabilities of various types; organizing the "Online Public Administration: Vision of the Future" competition to encourage creativity and raise awareness among people with disabilities about the benefits of online public administrative services; a "Fun Public Administration Day" program for disabled children in schools in Hanoi, helping students and parents better understand the importance of public administrative services in daily life; conducting scientific research on the current state of using public administrative services by people with disabilities, thereby proposing solutions to improve this situation; and organizing a workshop on "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 mentor, Vu Thi Hai Anh drafted a set of instructional materials on using 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 who implement community projects, 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, her brother had 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 by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union and the "Dedication to the community" award.

From a blind girl who timidly stepped 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