Huu Trong Nguyen will participate on June 10 in the 2021 national final of the “My thesis in 180 seconds” competition in Paris. The student from Reims, originally from Vietnam, will have to give a presentation on his research project in three minutes. All with the support of a single slide!
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You do not understand anything in chemistry and physics, more broadly science gives you a headache, “my thesis in 180 seconds” is there for you … Everything will become crystal clear. This international science popularization competition is open to French-speaking doctoral students from all over the world. The participants must present their research subject, in French and in the simplest possible way in front of an audience which does not have the bump of physical sciences. In 180 seconds, that is to say 3 minutes … 180 seconds, not one more! All with the support of a single slide!
Two finalists of the competition will defend the colors of Champagne-Ardenne among the 16 finalists: Gaël Mahfoudi, researcher at the University of Technology of Troyes (UTT) and Huu Trong Nguyen, researcher in the Induced resistance and plant protection laboratory (RIBP ) of the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (Urca). They will participate on June 10 in the national final.
At 29, Huu Trong Nguyen is now well established in Reims. Since 2018, he has been studying “plant protection in the environment” at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne. But the previous year, his studies had already taken him to Montpellier, Rennes, Paris and Avignon. A real Tour de France which “have made discover a very beautiful country, I love your landscapes”, he said in a big burst of laughter.
Long live France !
It was in Vietnam that he learned French, “and I wanted to practice it in the field because it’s not the same …” The proof. A few weeks ago he found himself in an uncomfortable situation: “Right before the semi-final, everyone was saying ‘shit’ to me, and I didn’t understand. To me, that’s a bad word. I didn’t know it could mean ‘good luck’. It’s embarrassing.”
It is not only for its landscapes that Huu loves France. “It’s a pretty language, it sounds good to my Vietnamese ears. I also find the French are beautiful and the French are beautiful! And then there is your gastronomy, the French dishes are balanced with vegetables and meat”, he adds.
But there is a part of our gastronomy that the student has difficulty in appreciating. It’s wine! Go figure, he’s in France to save our vines and “maybe your champagne”. We will come back to this later … “Yes, I know wine is part of your traditions. I don’t drink, it’s not that I don’t like, but I don’t care! For me, everything tastes the same. wine, beer, alcohol, champagne, everything seems bitter to me … ”
A paradox. During this national final, Huu Trong will present in just 180 seconds his research subject “Biological control against crown gall in vines”. A disease that ravages the vines. It is a complex job if there is one, on which he spends hours and hours every day. And its subject is not easy to explain in a concise and fun way. Find his performance during the territorial final.
To mobilize for the price of the public
Due to the health context, exceptionally, the national final will be held at a distance and will not welcome an audience in the Boulogne-Billancourt hall, in the Paris region. It will be broadcast live on the Facebook and Youtube pages and on the competition website. Nevertheless, an Internet user prize will be awarded to the public’s favorite candidate. So the URCA is mobilizing on social networks: “Let’s be many to encourage Huu Trong!” The vote will take place during the live. It will be opened after the presentation of the last finalist and will be closed 25 minutes after. To be able to participate in the Internet User Prize, you must register here before June 7, 2021.
Huu Trong Nguyen doctoral student at the RIBP laboratory will participate on June 10 in the 2021 national final of the “My thesis in 180 seconds” competition in Paris! pic.twitter.com/cOLHSFkiQu
– University of Reims (@universitereims) May 21, 2021
A 3-minute performance
The countdown is ticking. 180 seconds is a lot and a little at the same time. Huu prepared like never before, he repeated, “the text, the staging, how to move, the rhythm”. Obviously, he is having fun. “I wanted to register to promote my work, to share what I love, but also to regain my self-confidence”. Huu experienced some health problems, which is also why he embarked on the adventure. “I had a stressful period, I was in pain, I even had an operation and it delayed my research, which is why I felt anxious.” Fortunately, everything is better. “I am enjoying, I am excited because I live this final as a fun, I take this moment on stage without stress and with pleasure. I will give the best of myself”.
The joy found can be seen in the words of the young man. “Yes, it’s getting better, not only have I experienced these health problems but in addition, there is the pandemic.” Huu Trong Nguyen has not returned home to Vietnam since there was talk of the coronavirus in France. “Before, I went there once a year to see my parents. At times, I was quite alone. But I did not want to give in to depression or nostalgia.”
Huu Trong Nguyen in his laboratory
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© Huu Trong Nguyen – France TV
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Besides, it is his state of mind. Never complain. Because he finds the French complaining. “It’s a difference in culture. It makes me too weird. All these French people who complain and who always ask for more. No doubt it’s because I come from a much less developed country … The standard of living is lower in Vietnam. So everything suits me in France: my studies, the laboratory, my study conditions and my friends. Even if sometimes, the distance is difficult! ”
A little nostalgia despite everything when he talks about his country and his parents. But not for long, the spirit and the smile in his voice return very quickly as soon as he thinks of his research and projects himself towards the final on June 10.
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