Ruby Hong Ngoc Nguyen is Vietnamese-born and is currently a Lecturer at the School of Hospitality at the University of Economics, Vietnam. Aside from that, she is also an English language trainer, teaching and training under her own brand of “English with Ruby”.

At 18, Ruby was offered a scholarship to join Sunway University to enrol in the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Hospitality Management. While pursuing her degree, the ASEAN scholar had the opportunity to partake in several notable food and beverage and hospitality-related competitions such as the Monin Bartending Competition, and the Asia Mice Youth Bid Challenge. The Malaysia Mice Bid Challenge was perhaps the most memorable among all for Ruby as she and her team emerged as champions.

Ruby recalls that having the opportunity to immerse oneself in the many active extracurricular activities, makes this degree programme an attractive course to pursue because you not only get learn new skills but you can put them to test by entering numerous competitions locally and internationally with the support and guidance of the ever-encouraging lecturers.

Ruby excelled in her studies and was also the proud recipient of the Jeffrey Cheah Scholastic Award, an Award given to a student who had the highest performance at the end of the course. The knowledge and skills of hospitality gained at Sunway University were undeniably helpful for Ruby’s pursuit in her career development. Practical sessions and internships took up a significant portion in the programme, which led to a smoother transition to the real-world. In addition, Ruby’s active involvement in various competitions and presentations at national and international levels while undergoing her degree at Sunway University evidently built her confidence in the competitive job market as well.

After graduating from Sunway University, Ruby moved to the US to pursue a Master Degree in Hospitality Administration. Since then, she has served in the restaurant industry, primarily in areas of operations and marketing both overseas and in Vietnam.

Due to the pandemic, opportunities in the hospitality industry became limited but that was also when new opportunities presented itself. Ruby founded “English with Ruby”, where she now teaches and provides training for IELTS and TOEFL examinations. As her teaching career grew, Ruby also became a Hospitality Lecturer in the University of Economics’ School of Hospitality. A two-job commitment has indeed made life a lot more hectic but exciting at the same time. These two roles complement each other well, which could forge Ruby to become an educational leader in Vietnam someday.

The experiential learning at Sunway University has carved out some great memories and the lifelong friendships made was surely the best part of it all! Malaysia as a whole and Sunway University in particular is culturally diverse. Building connections with lecturers and friends from different parts of the world has helped Ruby forge connections which she has maintained even up to this day.

A word of advice Ruby has for the younger generation: “Always welcome new opportunities and challenges as this is the way one learns and grows” Ruby who was once shy and reserved has gained more confidence through her educational opportunities, work exposure and experience. Ruby strongly believes that “You are only heard when you speak up.” She also exhorts the youths to “Get out of your comfort zone, be involved as much as possible and proactively seek for chances to learn, express yourself and maximize your potential.” Ruby also added that the International Hospitality Management programme at Sunway University is one of the most dynamic hospitality programmes in the country which allows students to develop their talents, soft skills and personalities.