Studying a PhD in engineering – from Vietnam to Australia
Cutting-edge research facilities and a world-class reputation are some of the more common drawcards for students looking to study at the University of Sydney. For Engineering PhD student Duy Tung Le, it was the openness of the university research community and the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering that impressed him.
Every time I come across any difficulties in my research, I can not only discuss them with my supervisors and my group members but also with other members of Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, some of whom I have not even met in person.
The opportunities to enhance his research capabilities were also a huge drawcard to choosing to pursue his PhD at the University of Sydney.
“I chose the University of Sydney because of its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and its innovative research environment,” he says of his time with the Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis.
Taking materials engineering further
By choosing to study at Sydney, Tung hopes to deepen his knowledge of materials and their properties, especially their microstructure.
Tung’s PhD is about tackling the strength-ductility trade-off in metallic materials. While it is well known that the increase in strength means sacrificing ductility, a number of studies reported a heterogeneous structure can improve these two somewhat opposing facets simultaneously.
“In my research, I will focus on synthesising hetero-structured materials and investigating the influence of heterogeneity on their properties,” he says.
I hope to develop high strength-ductility materials that can applied in the automotive industry.
The opportunities at the University have fuelled his desire to build on his skills and expertise in advanced electron microscopy, but ultimately, Tung hopes the experience will give him a renewed state of mind.
I hope to develop a proactive mindset which is not only beneficial to my future research but also to daily life.
Choosing Sydney for a PhD
While the opportunity to enhance his research capabilities and academic growth were drawcards for Tung, one of the major reasons for deciding on Sydney came down to its unique research approach.
“I chose the University of Sydney because of its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and its innovative research environment,” he says. The short travelling distance from his home country, Vietnam, also influenced his decision. “Moreover, Australia is famous for its unique animals and landscape which will provide me with many new experiences.”
Ultimately, the Australian culture and welcoming environment has made Tung’s first four months of study the most rewarding. “I think culture is the thing I look for the most when studying here in Sydney,” he says. “Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, home to people from various ethnic backgrounds. This means I will be exposed to abundant perspectives and ideas which may broaden my mindset and knowledge about other countries.”
Explore postgraduate engineering at the Faculty of Engineering or submit an expression of interest.