APU American International Schools is proud to be the cradle of exceptional talents, and the Class of 2010 is one of the most shining examples of the success of our world-class educational environment. For over 25 years, APU has been nurturing generations of students to soar high in the global intellectual sky. These brilliant APU stars from the Class of 2010 have now become scientists, managers, finance experts, and more. Notable among them are former students Dinh Khang Hy, Truong Buu Van, Nguyen Ngoc Xuan (Susan),...

Phung Khoi Quoc Toan - A Global Scientific Researcher

Phung Khoi Quoc Toan, an outstanding former APU student, has built an impressive academic and research journey on the world map thanks to the knowledge, skills, and solid foundation from APU's international educational environment. His excellence in academics, research, and community service has earned Toan numerous prestigious awards and honors:

- 2009-2013: Cal Murphy Scholarship, University of Montana.
- 2009-2013: Executive Committee Member, International Student Association.
- 2012 & 2013: Diversity Council Achievement Award, University of Montana.
- 2015: UQ Summer Research Scholarship, University of Queensland.
- 2016: Master of Molecular Biology, 2016, University of Queensland, Australia.
- 2016: Faculty of Science Dean's Commendation for Academic Excellence, University of Queensland.
- 2017-2021: UQ Research Training Scholarship, University of Queensland.
- 2019: Steam Cell Hackathon Winner Award, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland.
- 2019: HUPO Travel Award from the Human Proteome Organization.
- 2019-2020: Executive Committee Member of COMBINE - the Computational Biology Student Organization in Australia
- 2019-now: Certified Software Programming Instructor with The Carpentries
- 2021: Doctor of Philosophy at University of Queensland, Australia
- 2022: Venture Finalist, Centre of Entrepreneurship, University of Dundee.
- 2022: School of Life Science Innovator of the Year, University of Dundee.

Currently, Toan is living and working in Dundee, Scotland, where he is researching Parkinson's disease using Mass Spectrometry. His groundbreaking tool, CURTAIN, with its exceptional features and broad impact, won the prestigious 2022 School of Life Science Innovator of the Year Award at the University of Dundee. The tool's immense potential was further validated by its selection as a finalist in the Venture competition, a prestigious platform for promising startup ideas funded by the University of Dundee. Notably, CURTAIN's development was supported by Aligning Science Across Parkinson's, a reputable research network funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation

Dinh Khang Hy - A Talented Scientist

Dinh Khang Hy, a distinguished alumnus of APU's Class of 2010, has emerged as a bright star in the fields of science and technology. During his time at APU, Hy cultivated a strong foundation in analytical and problem-solving skills, fostering a deep passion for applied sciences. With APU as his springboard, Khang Hy secured a full scholarship to Roger Williams University (RWU). At RWU, Khang Hy consistently excelled in mathematics and science competitions, earning him the trust of his professors and providing him with opportunities to delve deeper into applied mathematics.

His impressive achievements include:
First place in the 2015 ACRP Design Competition sponsored by the FAA, for his innovative piezoelectric flooring system, which converts kinetic energy from footsteps into usable electricity for applications such as LED lighting.
The President's Medal of Honor from RWU for his applied mathematics research on spacecraft hull design.
Double major in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering from RWU, graduating with honors and an outstanding thesis.
A full scholarship from Tufts University to pursue a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
Having completed his doctorate, Khang Hy is now a faculty member at Tufts University, where he continues his research on advanced materials like Aerogel, the world's lightest solid with exceptional insulation properties, offering promising applications for the future. His research focuses on modeling drying kinetics and measuring the experimental properties of drying liquids to minimize costs and optimize energy consumption.
Truong Buu Van - Senior Operations Supervisor 

Truong Buu Van, another outstanding graduate of APU's Class of 2010, has demonstrated exceptional talent in Operations Management. With innate abilities honed in APU's advanced educational environment, Buu Van has achieved remarkable success in his career in the United States:
- Graduated as Valedictorian from The University of Texas at Austin, a top-tier university in the US, with a degree in Biochemistry. 
- Served as a teaching assistant for university professors 
- Completed a Master's degree in Biotechnology at Northwestern University with a GPA of 3.97/4.00.

Currently, Buu Van holds the position of Senior Operations Supervisor at AbbVie, a leading global biopharmaceutical company under the Abbott group. In this role, Buu Van leverages his extensive expertise in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, coupled with exceptional management skills, to contribute to the company's mission of providing high-quality healthcare products to the global community.

Nguyen Ngoc Xuan (Susan) - A seasoned professional in the finance sector

Nguyen Ngoc Xuan (Susan), another outstanding graduate of APU's Class of 2010, has achieved significant success in the finance industry. Her impressive career journey includes:

- Graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Roger Williams University in 2015

- Dual Master's degree (Master of Science in Finance / Master of Business Studies) from the prestigious Northeastern University in 2019. (Top 44 universities in the US, top 10 business schools in the US)

- In 2022, she obtained the CFA Charter, widely regarded as the 'gold standard' in finance. ("Among countless financial certifications worldwide, the CFA charter - Chartered Financial Analyst - has become the gold standard for evaluating financial professionals.")

Currently, Susan is employed at Wellington Management Company, a leading financial firm in Boston, where she is working towards becoming a trusted financial advisor and senior financial analyst.

Nguyen Tran Thuong Uyen: A distinguished dentist in the United States

Nguyen Tran Thuong Uyen, a 2009 graduate of APU, is a shining example of success in the medical field. Her impressive career path includes

- A Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Central Washington University

- A Master's degree in Biology,

- Research projects at the University of Washington School of Medicine, 

- A stint as a dental assistant at UCLA. 

Her most notable achievement is being accepted into the highly competitive dental program at UCLA School of Dentistry, one of the top 15 dental schools in the world according to QS World University Rankings, after beating out over 3,000 other applicants. Reflecting on her journey, Uyen credits APU for playing a pivotal role in her success: 'The most fortunate thing for me was studying at APU. The opportunity to learn and interact in an international environment with fellow students and dedicated teachers who were always striving for excellence motivated me to constantly improve myself.”

A Solid Launchpad from APU

 

In addition, APU boasts numerous other outstanding alumni. Ngọc Thanh, for instance, graduated from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), one of the top 10 public universities in the United States according to the 2024 rankings. She is currently a distinguished pharmacist in the US. Ly Tran is another shining example of academic excellence and career development. Graduating from APU with top scores, Ly achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in her first two years at AUV before successfully transferring to the State University of New York (SUNY) system, one of the largest public university systems in the United States. Thanks to the strong foundation from APU and AUV, Ly was able to shorten her study time by one year. After graduating from SUNY Brockport, Ly took on the role of Product Management Systems Consultant at DXC Technology. Continuing to expand her knowledge, Ly is pursuing a Master's degree in Marketing at SUNY, demonstrating the lifelong learning spirit inspired by APU. Following in the footsteps of these successful alumni, Following in the footsteps of these successful alumni, Tran Khang Khang has emerged as a bright star in the fields of business administration and human resources. Khang graduated from Central Washington University (CWU) in 2015 with top honors, earning a Summa Cum Laude, one of the highest academic honors. At CWU, Khang completed three majors: Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management, Business and Finance, and Psychology. During their time at CWU, Khang actively participated in extracurricular activities, developing leadership and international communication skills: Resident Hall Leadership Council, International Student Club, International Theme House, Society of Human Resources,... Currently, Khang is a human resources specialist. Continuously striving for professional development, Khang is pursuing a Master of Science in Business Administration and Management at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a leading US university, with expected completion in 2025.

The success of Quoc Toan, Dinh Khang Hy, Truong Buu Van, Nguyen Ngoc Xuan (Susan), and many other APU alumni from the 2009-2010 class is a testament to the school's exceptional educational quality. APU not only provides specialized knowledge but also equips students with the necessary skills to succeed on the global stage. Although they have become successful entrepreneurs, renowned scientists, or leading experts in various fields, APU alumni continue to hold deep affection and gratitude for APU - the first environment that nurtured them and the starting point of their intellectual journey.

APU is proud to be a solid foundation for the dreams and aspirations of young Vietnamese generations. With a world-class education, APU students are fully equipped to confidently step out into the world and conquer new heights in their careers and lives. As APU has always believed, our alumni will continue to shine brightly and inspire future generations. They are the shining "APU eagles" - the pride not only of our school but of the entire Vietnamese education community.