An Advocate in the Service of (Lifelong) Education

(interview from 2017 with update 2026)

Thomas Scheufler

For many years, Thao Nguyen has been a key figure in German-Vietnamese dialogue as an alumni ambassador. In 2008, she earned her Master of Arts degree. Today, nearly 18 years later, she is back as a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Education. 

Kontakt-online spoke with her about her decades-long connection to TUD, her role as an alumni ambassador, and her return from professional practice to research.

Why did you decide to study at TU Dresden, and what did you study at TUD?

After attending the 2^nd German education fair in Hanoi in December 2001, I had a poster from TU Dresden hanging above my bed for a year. It was love at first sight. My goal was clear, my decision was made: I wanted to study at TU Dresden. However, my German still wasn't very good at that point, so I didn't have all the information about TU Dresden at my fingertips from the outset. I pursued a degree in German Studies/German as a Foreign Language and Romance Studies/French Linguistics at TU Dresden from 2003 to 2008. I also attended courses in foundation medicine, sociology, political science, tourism economics and management, and architecture/architectural history over the course of several semesters as part of the studium generale.

What are your happiest memories? Where did you like to go in Dresden? What was your favorite place at university?

My studies were intense, to say the least. I completed all of my courses in seven semesters – plus the "wonderful" Latinum Latin exam. In the eighth semester, I took two oral and two written final exams in my two majors, and in the ninth semester, I wrote my dissertation. I can say that I studied with enormous enthusiasm that was regularly reignited by excellent teachers. I have fond memories of three semesters of my student days and of three lecture series by Prof. Ingo Kolboom, which I attended with my 89-year-old fellow student Irmgard Steglich. She was an angel sent by God to bring me a message: the thirst for knowledge has no age limit. My favorite place in Dresden was always on the banks of the Elbe – at the film nights, at concerts, or in one of the many beer gardens. In my free time, I often went to the Semperoper. My favorite place at university was the garden of my dorm, because I study best outside in the fresh air, under a tree. I just can't study well in enclosed spaces – not in the library nor in my room.

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What are your links to TUD today? 

Through my work as an alumni ambassador, I am in regular contact with my former university. The alumni office organized international alumni weeks, and the workshops there helped me broaden my experiences by interacting with people from different cultures who, like me, are committed to supporting their former university. My status as a TUD alumni ambassador builds trust in my communications with German institutions here in Vietnam, such as the DAAD, during discussions at my school with parents who would like to send their children to study in the EU, or when answering questions from students or friends who are interested in studying in Germany.

Why did you become a TUD alumni ambassador? 

I received a lot of support and encouragement from my lecturers. In my current job, I can make full use of the skills I acquired at TUD. I am especially grateful that my studies were free of charge. And now, I have the opportunity to give something back. That makes me very proud and happy. It means I can contribute to the university's good reputation abroad.

What specific achievements have you made as an ambassador?

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I share information about job openings and internship tips at my school with German student teachers. Through the 2023 Alumni Week, I was able to launch a student exchange program between Dresden-Cotta Gymnasium and the Olympia Schools in Hanoi with the help of Prof. Stefan Horlacher. And I arranged for Dresden-based mathematics education students to complete their Block A internship at international schools in Hanoi.

What ideas would you like to propose to TUD?

Information about study opportunities in Dresden should be disseminated very early on—I’m thinking in particular of collaboration at the school level. TUD representatives could visit schools in Vietnam where German is taught (PASCH schools). We alumni ambassadors would be happy to provide recommendations on which schools you should approach. In addition, all cooperation projects with TUD should be better publicized locally; e.g. the cleaning of Hoan Kiem Lake.

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Contact:
Thi Thu Thao Nguyen

Email

Map: TUD alumni ambassadors worldwide

Update 2026

When Childhood Dreams Come True

October 2025 marked a very special turning point for Thao. When she held her doctoral admission letter in her hands, it was more than just a piece of paperwork—it was the moment when a long-cherished childhood dream came true. After nearly two decades of professional work, she returns to campus with the same enthusiasm that drove her as a young student, now enriched by a wealth of life experience.

A polyglot bridge-builder: German, English, French

Since graduating in 2008, Thao has proven herself to be a true master of languages. Her studies in Romance languages laid the foundation—she is equally at home in French as she is in German and English. This linguistic elegance is reflected in her work: as an accomplished translator, she brings English-language literature to Vietnam, while as an author she has translated her own works from Vietnamese into English.

The “IMPRESS-ive” Return: From Practice to Research

Her return to Dresden is no coincidence. She demonstrates that her 2008 graduation was just the beginning of a lifelong journey. With nearly two decades of experience and proficiency in four languages, she brings a perspective to the field of education that is indispensable in today’s international educational landscape. Through the IMPRESS project and her collaboration with the ZLSB, her connection to Saxony has always remained strong. The fact that she is now pursuing her doctorate is the logical next step in a career that masterfully combines theory and practice.