Building what's next: Harry's AI journey

Moving from Vietnam to Australia was a big step for Minh Tien (Harry) Nguyen, but it was also exactly the kind of challenge he was looking for.

“Deciding to study overseas was a massive step for me—it was a deliberate choice to step completely out of my comfort zone,” Harry says.

“I saw studying abroad as a life-changing opportunity to explore the world, experience new cultures, and specifically immerse myself in Australia's vibrant academic and social environment.”

For Harry, the University of Newcastle offered the combination he was looking for: an opportunity to pursue his academic ambitions while enjoying life in a coastal city.

“The quality and reputation of the degree program perfectly aligned with my goals. At the same time, the lifestyle in Newcastle is unmatched.”

After completing a Bachelor of Information Technology at the University of Newcastle, Harry decided he wasn't finished exploring where technology could take him.

“AI is evolving at an incredible pace, and I wanted to be at the forefront of that wave rather than just watching it happen.”

Now studying a Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Harry is building towards his long-term goal of pursuing a PhD and a career in AI research and education.

For Harry, some of the most valuable learning has happened when theory meets the real world.

Through the University's industry connections, he secured an internship at IncubatorTank, giving him the opportunity to work on practical applications of machine learning.

“Transitioning from classroom theory to building practical applications, like optimising machine learning models for smart technologies, has been incredibly rewarding,” Harry shares.

The experience has helped him build a professional network, develop practical skills and see how the concepts he studies can be applied outside the classroom.

“It has taught me how to bridge the gap between complex code and everyday human problems, giving me the exact confidence and technical foundation I need to step into a future PhD and career in AI research.”

Harry's studies have also challenged the way he thinks about technology. Learning how foundational mathematics drives machine learning helped him understand that real-world engineering isn't simply about achieving maximum model performance.

Instead, it can mean balancing factors such as hardware constraints, computing power and limited resources to find the best overall solution.

While Harry is serious about his studies, making the most of his experience in Australia is just as important.

“To completely immerse myself in the Australian lifestyle and cover my living costs, I work a casual position at a local coffee shop, which has been a fantastic way to meet people and practice my customer service skills.”

When he's not working or studying, Harry enjoys going to the gym and exploring the region. Weekends often mean road trips to Nelson Bay, Anna Bay or Caves Beach, while university holidays have taken him further afield to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne.

For Harry, these experiences help create a healthy balance alongside studying.

“The lifestyle in Newcastle is unmatched. It is an incredibly peaceful beach city where you can truly enjoy life, strike a healthy study-life balance, and find inspiration just by being close to the ocean,” he says.

Like many international students, Harry arrived in Australia knowing that adjusting to a new country could feel overwhelming.

What he found was a community that helped make the transition easier.

“When I first arrived at the University of Newcastle, what made me feel immediately safe and welcome was the incredibly inclusive and friendly culture on campus.”

Harry says orientation programs, international student support, approachable staff and student volunteers all helped him settle into university life.

“Walking into a community where diversity is actively celebrated made it easy to lose the initial nervousness and feel like I belonged right from day one. It quickly went from being an unfamiliar campus to feeling like a second home.”

One of Harry's favourite places on campus is the library, particularly the Maker Space. Alongside the technology he uses for coding and data analysis, it gives him somewhere to experiment with 3D printing, bracelet making and Arduino or simply take a break during stressful study periods.

“It’s the perfect blend of a high-productivity study zone and a creative space to decompress.”

Harry is also a recipient of the International Excellence Scholarship, which has helped ease some of the financial pressures of studying overseas.

“Beyond the practical financial support, the scholarship has served as a powerful personal motivator.”

For Harry, completing his master's degree is another step towards a much bigger goal.

“My ultimate career goal is to bridge the gap between advanced research and education in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision,” he explains.

After graduating, Harry hopes to pursue a PhD before eventually becoming a university lecturer and researcher. It's a career that would allow him to contribute to the development of new technologies while sharing what he learns with others.

“The thought of not only contributing to this fast-evolving frontier through my own research but also stepping into the classroom to pass that knowledge on to future students is what drives me to push my boundaries every day.”

For international students considering their own move to Newcastle, Harry encourages them to get involved early and be willing to step outside their comfort zone.

“Don't be afraid to take that first step out of your comfort zone.”

“Attend orientation events, join student clubs, and spend time in interactive campus areas like the library's Maker Space, UNSA’s events. These are the easiest places to naturally meet like-minded people and make friends.”

And for students considering Data Science and AI, Harry's advice is to look beyond the lecture slides and start putting what you learn into practice.

“Data science and AI move at an incredible pace, so don't just stop at the lecture slides. Take advantage of the university's strong industry connections to pursue internships, and build your own practical projects on the side to see how your code performs in the real world.”

AI is evolving at an incredible pace, and I wanted to be at the forefront of that wave rather than just watching it happen.