David Nguyen, a 12th grader-Vietnamese student in Vancouver city, in the US State of Washington DC, has been granted a scholarship from the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program founded by billionaire Bill Gates.

Studying at Hudson Bay High School, he won the grant in recognition for his extraordinary efforts to fight off his prolonged illness and excel in his study.

Born in Ho Chi Minh City in 1994, Nguyen suffered an illness that could not be diagnosed by local doctors. His parents were very distressed because Nguyen was not able to speak by the time he was 7 years old. They thought Nguyen might be deaf. Then his parents decided to bring him to Vancouver when he was 9, hoping that he could be cured by US doctors.

Living in an unfamiliar environment, Nguyen had to study English. He said he is fond of mathematics and sciences. Besides having an enquiring mind, he also loves playing sports.

The GMS program was sourced 1.6 billion USD from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It selects the best 1,000 students in the US to grant full scholarships.

David Nguyen is one of 30 students in Washington DC having received the scholarship. He plans to study in Vancouver – based at Washington State University in the first two years./.