Vietnamese Child Genius to Study in Prestigious NZ University

At 12, Alisa Pham is pursuing a communications degree and double major. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The 12-year-old Alisa Pham is enrolled in AUT's Bachelor of Communication Studies with a double major in digital branding and creative branding at an age when most other kids are at intermediate school, cited from NewstalkZB.

Alisa's sister Vicky Ngo Ngoc, who graduated last year, was 13 when she entered AUT in 2020 and was its youngest student at the time.

"Alisa is our youngest ever student," said AUT spokeswoman Alison Sykora.

"Our academics report Alisa is engaged, enjoying herself and impressing everyone with her maturity and intelligence."

The exuberant child genius has not gone unnoticed: Stanford University's Office of Undergraduate Admission also wants to interview her as a potential freshman applicant.

AUT said it had to put in place similar support systems it set up for Alisa's sister.

"This includes special security arrangements, an ambassador to accompany her to classes for her first semester, and regular meetings with support staff."

Alisa and her adopted sister Vicky came to New Zealand from Vietnam in 2017 with their mother.

She started as a Year 4 student in St Thomas's School in 2018, and was fast-tracked to Auckland Normal Intermediate and to Selwyn College last year.

She completed her high school studies in 10 months, largely through home studies because of the lockdowns.

Alisa's application to study law at AUT was unsuccessful, but being accepted into communications studies could be "a blessing in disguise" because her dream is to become a journalist, she explained.

She said she draws inspiration from her sister Vicky, who graduated in December from AUT's BSC - Applied Maths programme at age 15 and is now pursuing her PhD in data science.

Despite her advanced intelligence, Alisa is clearly still a child and was giggly during the interview when she talked about her hobbies.

Alisa said her favourite pastimes include playing squash, swimming, and creating art.

"I like to draw comics and fashion designs when I'm on my own, but with friends I like to play sports or gaming," she said.

"I'm just like all the other kids, I have normal hobbies," Alisa insisted.

Alisa's mother, who did not want to be named, said she chose to move to New Zealand so her children could have a safe, nice environment and better opportunities.

"I am a single mum, so my life focus is on my two daughters," said the mom.

She said Alisa was "highly intelligent" from a very early age - she started reading books on her own at age 2 - and was thinking about solving world problems even as a child.

"She is also great with language, and I am so impressed at how she is able to master the English language in the short few years that we've been here,".

"Alisa has no problems socialising with other kids, but she needs to be engaged in a more mature way, and that is why I feel university may be good for her."

AUT has made special security arrangements, including an ambassador to accompany Alisa to classes and regular meetings with support staff. Photo / Alex Burton

Her mother said Alisa, with her guidance, co-founded the New Zealand branch of a Vietnamese NGO called The House of Wisdom in 2020, which provides online classes on English, soft skills training and investment advice.

"Alisa has been running online programmes and giving advice to other Vietnamese children, and recently participated as a speaker to support Vietnamese children who have lost their parents due to Covid-19,.

Her mother said Alisa had also been actively investing in the NZ stock market in the past three years.

Alisa received many praised from her high school teachers. Selwyn College deputy principal Andrew Speed said Alisa excelled in the junior curriculum and achieved university entrance by completing level 2 and 3 internal and external assessments.

"Alisa has shown the independent learning style and motivation that will enable her to excel in the university environment," said Speed.

She achieved six Excellence and nine Merits over the course of her NCEA studies at the college at age 11.

Settling into university life as a juvenile

So far, Alisa achieved six Excellence and nine Merits over the course of her NCEA studies at the college at age 11.

When asked about how she has been preparing for college, Alisa shared dreamy yet realistic thoughts:

"I was a little nervous at first, but I guess it helped that my sister had gone through it. Classes have been pretty easy so far. In fact, one of the reasons I fast-tracked my schooling [was] because I find school quite easy, so I'd probably want to do the same with uni."

Alisa said she is enjoying classes, but is looking forward to more in-person contacts at university when the pandemic situation ends.

As for her future, Alisa still plans to do a law degree after completing her communications studies to support her dream to work in the media and to be a journalist.

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