Lương Đắc Nguyên, a 2023 Data Science student at the University of Information Technology (UIT), Vietnam National University-HCM, serves as the class president for the Data Science cohort. Along with his leadership role and active participation in extracurricular activities, Nguyên has proven his academic and creative talents through his remarkable achievements in national competitions. Recently, Nguyên and his team secured 2nd place at the WEB3 IDEATHON, a prestigious national competition focused on innovation in blockchain and AI technologies.

The Journey to Winning the Prestigious WEB3 IDEATHON Award

Realizing the growing technological gap between the rapid pace of advancement and the accessibility for rural farmers, Nguyên and his team developed “Nông Trí”, an AI-powered agricultural chatbot tailored to the needs of Vietnamese farmers. This innovative tool aims to bridge the technological divide, offering farmers real-time updates on crop techniques, weather forecasts, pricing information, and modern farming practices.

Thanks to its practical application, addressing the real needs of millions of agricultural workers, “Nông Trí” quickly became a standout project at the WEB3 IDEATHON. The team outshone numerous strong contenders from leading universities nationwide and proudly claimed 2nd place in the competition. Nguyên shared, "The emotions are hard to describe. We felt not only joy but also pride and gratitude as our hard work was recognized. This experience truly highlighted our team's unity and strengthened my confidence in myself."

Overcoming Challenges on the Path to Success

Despite studying Data Science, Nguyên and his team faced numerous challenges in bringing their AI chatbot to life. From mastering programming and designing user interfaces to managing tight deadlines and overcoming geographical barriers, they navigated these hurdles with clear task division, a continuous learning mindset, and mutual trust.

“Our success was due to a clear division of responsibilities, with each team member handling specific modules to ensure smooth collaboration. Thanks to our spirit of progress, self-learning, and trust in one another, we were able to complete the project. Most importantly, we gained invaluable lessons from this journey,” Nguyên reflected.

Passion for Academic Competitions

The WEB3 IDEATHON was not Nguyên’s first significant achievement. He has also earned prestigious awards, such as 1st place in the ISE Spark of Idea Fall 2024 and Quarter Finalist in the 2024 Hanoi Mathematical Modeling Competition. Beyond academic accomplishments, Nguyên is also known for his active participation in leadership roles and his commitment to social responsibility.

Discipline as the Key to Success

Nguyên believes that maintaining discipline is essential for balancing academic work, extracurricular activities, and competitions. "I have a small habit of focusing on completing each task thoroughly before moving on to the next. I make sure to plan each part of my day in advance. This helps me stay balanced between my studies and staying active," Nguyên shared.

UIT – A Solid Foundation for Innovation

UIT’s dynamic and supportive learning environment has played a crucial role in Nguyên’s journey to competing in major tech events. "UIT provided me with practical, real-world knowledge. During the development of Nông Trí, I applied lessons from my courses directly to the project."

Nguyên believes that with the knowledge and soft skills provided by UIT, most UITers are well-equipped to participate in major competitions like WEB3 IDEATHON. "All it takes is a little courage to get started," he said.

With the motto “In your 20s, be greedy and naive,” Nguyên encourages his fellow students: "You won’t truly know your potential until you put yourself to the test in real-world situations. Academic competitions are not just about winning; they’re opportunities to recognize the value of everything you’ve learned and fill the gaps that textbooks can’t offer."

Nguyên’s journey exemplifies the power of innovation, teamwork, and determination — values that UIT instills in all its students. We look forward to seeing more UITers rise to the challenge and showcase their talents!