When Opportunity Comes at the Right Time, Education Opens a New Path Forward
Some people begin their educational journey when they are very young.
Others return to the classroom more than three decades after they first had to leave school.
What they share is simple: as long as there is a desire to learn, work and contribute, an opportunity still matters.
The story of Mr. Truong Chi Hien, a second-year student majoring in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Ly Tu Trong College in Ho Chi Minh City, is one such story.
More Than 30 Years to Return to the Classroom
Born into a difficult family in Ca Mau Province, Mr. Hien had to leave school after Grade 7. While his peers continued their education, he entered working life and took on various jobs to support himself and his family.
Yet his desire to learn and understand mechanical engineering never disappeared.
In 2025, when his family situation became more stable and his children had grown up, he decided to pursue the education he had once been forced to leave behind. He moved to Ho Chi Minh City and enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Ly Tu Trong College.
At the age of 51, he returned to the classroom alongside students who were mostly young enough to be his children.
It was not an easy journey.
Some subjects required him to start again from the fundamentals. Some practical exercises had to be repeated several times. At one point, the pressure of studying even led to hospitalization.
But he did not give up.
After class, he spent time in the library researching and reviewing materials. He also studied English independently and carefully took notes during lessons. During practical sessions, he actively sought additional opportunities to work with machinery and equipment.
His determination earned the respect of his lecturers and classmates, and he was entrusted with serving as class representative for a class of more than 50 students.
His story demonstrates that the desire to learn does not have an expiration date.
A Scholarship – and an Opportunity to Go Further
On September 25, 2026, Mr. Truong Chi Hien was among 22 students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering who received scholarships from businesses at Ly Tu Trong College.
For Cát Vạn Lợi, a scholarship is more than financial assistance.
It is a way to recognize the effort of learners and encourage them to take an active role in building their future through their own capabilities.
At the scholarship ceremony, Mr. Le Mai Huu Lam, CEO of Cat Van Loi, met with Mr. Hien and learned more about his journey.
What Cát Vạn Lợi saw was not simply a 51-year-old student.
The company saw a commitment to lifelong learning, perseverance and the determination to build a career through professional knowledge and skills.
Therefore, if Mr. Hien agrees, Cat Van Loi is ready to offer him an employment opportunity even while he continues his studies.
It is an invitation to work, but also a clear message:
A company does not only need people with qualifications. It needs people who are willing to learn, committed to their work and ready to grow.
Cat Van Loi's Commitment to Vocational Education
As a manufacturer of industrial electrical equipment, Cát Vạn Lợi understands that the development of Vietnam's manufacturing sector cannot be separated from the quality of its human resources.
A factory can be equipped with modern machinery.
A product can be manufactured using advanced technology and standardized processes.
But behind every machine, process and product are people with professional knowledge, technical skills and the willingness to continuously improve.
That is why Cát Vạn Lợi chooses to accompany students at Ly Tu Trong College through scholarships, educational support and connections to career opportunities.
The connection between educational institutions – businesses – and students should not end with a scholarship ceremony.
More importantly, it should create a continuous pathway:
Learning → Developing skills → Experiencing the workplace → Understanding the profession → Accessing employment opportunities → Continuing to grow.
Supporting the Future Is Not Limited to One Generation
Mr. Hien's story may begin with a 51-year-old student.
But its meaning goes beyond age.
It raises a simple question:
When someone still wants to learn and contribute, what can society do to give that person another opportunity?
For young students, that opportunity may be a scholarship.
It may be an internship.
It may be their first visit to a factory, where they see machines operating and understand how the knowledge they learn in the classroom is applied in the real world.
And it may eventually become a career opportunity after graduation.
For businesses, investing in vocational education is also an investment in the future of the manufacturing industry.
A sustainable industrial sector needs well-trained young professionals, skilled workers, technicians who understand technology, and engineers who are committed to continuous learning.
From an Opportunity Today to Contributions Tomorrow
Cát Vạn Lợi believes that supporting learners is not simply about giving away something today. It is about helping create new value for the future.
A scholarship can help a student continue their education.
A word of encouragement can help someone stay on their path.
An internship can help a student discover which profession is right for them.
And an employment opportunity can open the door to an entire career journey.
With this commitment, Cát Vạn Lợi will continue to support education, vocational training and human resource development; helping connect classroom knowledge with the practical needs of businesses and Vietnam's industrial sector.
Because empowering the next generation is not simply about providing support today. It is about helping young people build the capabilities they need to create value tomorrow.
And sometimes, the right opportunity at the right moment can change the course of an entire journey.
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