Thi Minh Ngoc Tran

Why did you choose this course?

I obtained a bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences in Vietnam in 2008. After that, I worked for non-governmental and governmental organisations focusing on agricultural and community development.

After witnessing the severe problems in agriculture production and environment protection in Vietnam, I really wanted to increase my knowledge about sustainable agriculture, food safety and security in response to the impacts of climate change.

I read about the Master of Agriculture and Environment on the University website and was really impressed with the content and program. It was truly the content I desired to study. I also learned about lecturers who ran the course, which gave me an understanding of their areas of expertise and knowledge. This really convinced me to apply.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Sydney?

The University of Sydney is one of the most prestigious universities in Australia. I knew that studying at Sydney would be a valuable opportunity to access quality teaching methods, modern facilities and research expertise. I felt that studying to give me valuable skills which I could truly put into practice.

I was also lucky enough to receive an Australia Awards scholarship to help pay for my course.

What did you enjoy most about this course?

All of the subjects and lectures were very insightful, but what impressed me most were the field trips to farms and the agribusiness companies. These activities gave me the chance to learn about the advanced and highly technical production methods associated with food safety and environmental health.

I am currently working at ActionAid Vietnam, an anti-poverty global network that works closely with the poor to end poverty and injustice. The skills I learnt in the Master of Agriculture and Environment I use every day in my current role where I'm in charge of climate change adaptation throughout sustainable agriculture and livelihood development.