Nguyen Dang Quang Phuc, a 2023-cohort student in the Japanese-oriented Information Technology program at the Faculty of Information Science and Engineering, University of Information Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (UIT), has won First Prize at the 9th Japanese Speech Contest for Southern Universities.
The achievement not only highlights his Japanese-language proficiency but also demonstrates his ability to present arguments, think critically, and communicate with confidence in Japanese in an academic competition.
Five minutes in Japanese to claim the top prize
At the Final Round on September 14, 2026, Quang Phuc competed alongside 15 outstanding finalists selected from 33 entries representing 16 universities.
Each contestant had five minutes to deliver a speech entirely in Japanese, followed by a two-minute Q&A session with the judging panel. The challenge therefore went far beyond pronunciation, vocabulary, or grammatical accuracy. Contestants had to structure their ideas effectively, communicate a clear perspective, respond quickly to questions, and defend their arguments in the language they were studying.
With a compelling performance, Quang Phuc stood out among contestants from universities across the region to secure First Prize in this year’s competition.
When language becomes part of global competence
For students in UIT’s Japanese-oriented Information Technology program, Japanese is more than a foreign-language subject. Developing both IT expertise and Japanese-language proficiency gives students greater opportunities to access academic resources, international learning environments, companies, and career pathways connected with Japan.
A speech contest therefore provides an opportunity to take language skills beyond the classroom. From preparing the content and choosing the right expressions to presenting before the judging panel and responding to questions in real time, students must combine language proficiency with critical thinking, communication skills, and confidence.
Quang Phuc’s First Prize reflects the results of his dedicated learning and continuous practice. It also marks another achievement for students in UIT’s Japanese-oriented Information Technology program through academic and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Japan.
From UIT classrooms to international environments
The 9th Japanese Speech Contest for Southern Universities was jointly organized by the Komaru Transportation Foundation, Binh Duong University, and Fukuyama City University, with the participation and support of organizations from Vietnam and Japan.
Taking part in academic competitions such as this gives students opportunities to put their knowledge and skills to the test in a broader environment. For internationally oriented academic programs in particular, these experiences help students gradually strengthen their cross-cultural communication skills, adapt to diverse environments, and confidently demonstrate their capabilities.
Nguyen Dang Quang Phuc’s achievement therefore represents more than an individual award. From his foundation in information technology to his Japanese proficiency, presentation skills, and critical thinking, his journey reflects a broader path of development for technology students in an increasingly connected world – one where strong professional expertise provides the foundation, while foreign-language proficiency helps expand opportunities for learning, careers, and global engagement.
