Phan Thi Tra Khuc, recipient of the 2025 WERA Visiting Researcher Award at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, shares her reflections on the academic visit. This prestigious award, jointly offered by WERA and NIE-NTU, offers scholars the opportunity to advance their research projects while benefiting from expert support at the host institution.
My passion for student well-being and positive psychology inspired me to apply for the WERA Visiting Researcher Award, which brought me to Singapore. Singapore’s growing commitment to student well-being and holistic education deeply resonates with me, and having the opportunity to contribute research to its education system was a true honor.
I was fortunate to arrive during the Professorship Summit at NIE, themed “The Future of Education and Education Research,” which featured six renowned professors. What stood out to me most was the shared vision for preparing teachers and learners for the future, reimagining classrooms in an era of AI, rapid technological change, and evolving societal needs.
During my stay, I presented findings from my doctoral research, which focused on enhancing individuals’ self-efficacy and well-being through an online college-readiness course grounded in positive psychology. The results showed that integrating positive psychology principles not only improved students’ self-efficacy but also strengthened their psychological well-being and confidence in various learning skills. My project at NIE aligned well with this focus, though it examined a different dimension of the learning process, assessment rather than instruction. Specifically, we explored how assessments could promote positive emotions and support student well-being. Through interviews with 15 primary school teachers, I gained insight into how assessment practices in Singapore are evolving and how educators are intentionally balancing academic performance with students’ emotional growth. A common theme that emerged was the teachers’ deep care for their students’ overall development and happiness, not just their grades.
This experience gave me new networks and a renewed sense of confidence. Working with Professor Kah Loong, who served as my mentor for this research, especially helped me see research in a more structured and practical way. We are now co-authoring a paper and plan to present the initial findings at the SELF–ERAS Conference in November. Beyond research, I had the opportunity to visit classrooms, observe teacher professional development sessions, meet with faculty at the Singapore University of Social Sciences to learn about student support systems, and visit the NIE Wellness Center to understand how they promote well-being for both staff and students. I may also participate in a future podcast on flourishing later this year with the center. It was truly inspiring to witness Singapore’s commitment to nurturing the holistic growth
of its learners.
On a personal note, everyone I met was incredibly warm and welcoming. Kanetha, an
administrator at NIE, went above and beyond even before my arrival, helping me find
accommodation and teaching me how to navigate Singapore’s MRT system. Professor Rebecca at NIE graciously spent an afternoon showing me Chinatown from a local’s perspective, and several colleagues invited me for lunch and coffee, making me feel genuinely supported and part of the community.
Looking back, this trip reminded me why I love this work: learning, connecting, and growing alongside people who share my passion for education and student well-being. Having recently moved from the U.S. to Vietnam, I also feel grateful to be geographically closer to Singapore, which makes it easier to continue building these meaningful connections and deepening my understanding of learning and well-being.Phan Thi Tra Khuc
Lecturer
Dong A University, Danang, Vietnam