Nguyen Phung Nhat Khoi, a final-year student at Fulbright University Vietnam, has embarked on a groundbreaking project teaching computers to grow plants. This innovative venture has attracted investment from Koidra, a successful agricultural technology startup that secured $4.5 million in funding in 2022.
Khoi’s graduation project focuses on computer-aided plant cultivation and has garnered support from Koidra. Utilizing AI to assess crop cultivation metrics, the system is designed to optimize the timing and quantity of nutrient delivery, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the cultivation process. This advancement not only contributes to the agricultural industry but also supports diverse business models in ornamental horticulture and urban gardening. Upon successful development, the software is poised to secure valuable patents.
With a rich background that includes an internship in Singapore and the execution of several high-caliber independent research projects, Nhat Khoi has become a coveted asset for technology firms even before completing his education.
Choosing Liberal Arts for Undergraduate Education
Reflecting on his academic journey, Khoi has consistently impressed many people with his intellect and, more importantly, his tenacity in addressing complex challenges. Throughout his high school years, he was a regular participant in various academic contests, amassing a collection of accolades, certificates, and medals in Mathematics and Computer Science, both locally and internationally.
Khoi, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Mathematics, is now completing his final year at Fulbright University Vietnam. Photograph by Khoi
While many would expect him to major in his areas of strength at the undergraduate level, Khoi chose to broaden his horizons by pursuing interdisciplinary studies at Fulbright University Vietnam, a pioneer of Liberal Arts education in Vietnam.
Maintaining his primary focus on Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics, Khoi has enriched his academic experience with elective courses in Anthropology, Language, Culture, and Thinking. This foray into social sciences has provided him with a deeper understanding of technology’s role in society.
“I find great joy in delving into the philosophy of social sciences and integrating it into software development. To me, technology is intrinsically linked to everyday life,” Khoi shared.
Nguyen Phung Nhat Khoi was studying in a robotics class at Fulbright University Vietnam. Photograph by Khoi
In his first year, Khoi assembled a team to compete in various programming contests. Their efforts culminated in winning medals at the ICPC, the esteemed international collegiate programming contest often dubbed the “World Cup” of programming.
“The allure of computation, with its rich theoretical foundation, captivates me. It’s a realm where mathematics and logic converge to reveal precise solutions. This field is empowering, as it lays the groundwork for the modern technologies we utilize today,” Khoi added.
Driven by his passion for science, Khoi seizes every chance to evolve through research initiatives and internships at burgeoning startups.
Leveraging Valuable Connections to Forge a Future in Tech
In the summer of 2019, Nhat Khoi found himself in a dynamic phase of exploration, eager to challenge himself across diverse domains. He took on the role of a software engineer at a tech startup while simultaneously engaging in a research project focused on algorithm optimization. This endeavor was facilitated by Khoi’s connection with Raghuram Ramanujan, a former visiting lecturer at Fulbright University Vietnam with a wealth of experience in artificial intelligence. Khoi dedicated time each week to self-study, culminating in a research initiative aimed at teaching computers to master gaming strategies. This project not only honed his skills but also earned him a scholarship from TPBank for promising scientific research.
Nhat Khoi (second from left) at a student-startup networking event hosted by Fulbright University Vietnam. Photograph by Khoi
Under the mentorship of Dr. Nguyen Nhut Tien, Head of the Computer Science Department at Fulbright, and with the support of university professors, Khoi has progressively made his mark at international scientific forums.
In 2022, Khoi attended the ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (ESEC/FSE) in Singapore. More recently, he represented a national research team at the Western Canadian Conference on Computing Education (WCCCE) 2023, a highly regarded event in the global computer science and technology community.
Khoi’s project in Canada is dedicated to the development of speech recognition software for underrepresented languages, including Vietnamese and Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. The project emerged from an international research collaboration spearheaded by Dr. Nanette Veilleux, a visiting scholar at Fulbright. The team’s software demonstrated a remarkable 95% accuracy rate in converting spoken Vietnamese into written text through AI.
Khoi (second from left) with his team, proudly displayed a silver medal from the ICPC international programming contest. Photograph by Khoi
The recognition at international conferences and the burgeoning interest from tech corporations partially affirm the interdisciplinary trajectory Khoi has pursued. Yet, for Khoi, this is merely the beginning of an ambitious journey of discovery and achievement.
Source: Zing News
