Vietnamese woman becomes post-doctoral research fellow at Oxford

A solid foundation for success

Younger generations are increasingly embracing change as an opportunity to showcase their adaptability, talent, and courage—often leading to significant personal achievements and career success.

Phuong, a Vietnamese alumna of British University Vietnam (BUV), exemplifies this trend. Phuong began her journey at BUV, a QAA ( The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) accredited international University in Vietnam that offers authentic British Degrees from top UK Universities. At BUV, she developed a global perspective within a diverse community, gained a solid foundation in economics and access to numerous valuable opportunities. This environment allowed her to connect with peers and professionals, enhancing her learning experience and opening doors to precious chances for growth and development.

Through BUV's purpose-impact learning, Phuong cultivated cross-disciplinary skills, and shaped a determined mindset to pursue what is meaningful in life.

This background inspired her passion for Health Economics and her commitment to excelling in this challenging field. At 31, Phuong realized her dream by becoming a Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Health Economics at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford. Her portfolio includes 23 research studies published in leading scientific journals.

In addition, Phuong has been awarded an honorary contract as a specialist with the U.K. Health Security Agency, part of the Department of Health and Social Care.

She is also a consultant for several research projects with international organizations, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the tuberculosis organization FIT, among others.

Tran Bich Phuong has achieved her dream of becoming a postdoctoral research fellow in health economics at the University of Oxford. Photo courtesy of Phuong

Oxford, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious institutions, has been home to numerous distinguished figures. Among its esteemed alumni are physicist Stephen Hawking, renowned for his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics; economist Adam Smith, the father of modern capitalism; and celebrated writer J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the legendary The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Although she began her academic journey as an economics student with opportunities at major institutions such as the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and KPMG, Phuong's passion eventually led her to pivot towards public health.

Phuong noted that health economics focuses on the allocation and investment of resources to improve health outcomes—a field still relatively new in Vietnam. "This field is highly quantitative, involving the development of models to assess costs, benefits, efficiency, and equity in healthcare. While this was not my initial strength, it was precisely why I wanted to conquer it," she explained.

From starting as an unpaid intern at a non-governmental organization to becoming a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, Phuong takes pride in having overcome the challenges she set for herself.

Tran Bich Phuong has received numerous enticing offers in the field of academia and research. Photo courtesy of Phuong

Triumph after hardships

To pursue her dream of studying for a master's degree abroad, Phuong spent around two years working at the Center for Health Sciences Research at Hanoi University of Public Health to gain relevant experience, despite her undergraduate degree being only loosely related to public health.

During this time, she faced numerous rejections for scholarships, but her determination eventually led to success with a full scholarship at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, one of the top 10 medical schools in the world.

Phuong has received numerous enticing offers in the field of academia and research. Photo courtesy of Phuong

After completing her master's degree, Phuong encountered further challenges, including an expiring visa and the end of her scholarship. To continue her journey, she accepted an unpaid internship at the university's research department while working part-time in a restaurant to make ends meet. Despite facing discouragement and negative comments from colleagues—some even questioning the value of her education—Phuong remained undeterred.

After 1.5 years as a research assistant, supported by her research foundation from Vietnam and with six published scientific papers, she received two compelling offers: one to manage a research project at an institute in Paris and another to pursue a PhD at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. Driven by her academic passion, Phuong chose Belgium to focus on her research topic of interest: chronic non-communicable diseases, treatment costs, and proactive care models for individuals with multiple chronic conditions.

Tran Bich Phuong also contributes to meaningful projects with non-governmental organizations and health ministries in various countries. Photo courtesy of Phuong

During her four years of PhD studies, Phuong continuously sought to expand her knowledge and experience, planning her next steps early in her final year. To diversify her expertise, transitioning from non-communicable to infectious diseases, she applied for a postdoctoral research fellow position at the University of Oxford, working on a vaccine project for the U.K.'s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization.

"I feel fortunate to have been selected to work with some of the leading health economics professors in the U.K. Perhaps what I enjoy most is the opportunity to travel extensively, experience diverse cultures, and learn from healthcare systems around the world," Phuong said.

Beyond her research and professional work, Phuong also makes significant contributions to impactful projects at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization in France, advises health ministries in Belgium and the U.K., and engages in rural health projects in Vietnam and Zambia.