The two-year study at GraSPP wrote the best pages in my personal and professional life. The program enabled me to pursue a high quality education in a friendly learning environment. Wonderful professors and friends in the University of Tokyo widened my view on public policy globally. Various courses offered by academic professors and public policy practitioners helped deepen my knowledge of development progress through learning case studies. When I found it difficult to learn Statistical Methods, teaching assistants were available for one-on-one coaching. In the second year, I had the privilege of being chosen as a teaching assistant for a course offered by Prof. Hitoshi Tanaka on Japan’s East Asia Policy. It was my turn to give support to those who were new in the field.
Extracurricular activities were very enjoyable to me. I had chances to visit government ministries and the Bank of Japan to talk with professionals responsible for public policy in Japan. Social gatherings from time to time (such as in the New Year, at the start of semesters, for welcoming or bidding farewell to the peers) enabled me to know people in the family-like environment. Learning Japanese for free at the “Nihongo Center” was a nice experience as well, where cheerful teachers with great patience helped me enjoy learning and speaking Japanese.
Back in Vietnam, I apply the knowledge and skills gained at GraSPP as a professional in the field of climate change resilience in the water sector. My goal is to achieve a sustainable path of development in the water sector by involving various stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. My responsibilities include introducing the most effective models of water governance as well as the latest water management technologies in order to secure water safety in Vietnam. I am also doing research on water resources governance together with a team from a leading local university with the aim of enhancing the role of local government and civil society to realize the human right to water universally.