Brian Jeffrey
The news about Duyen not finishing her university education first surfaced in July when she entered the Miss Universe Vietnam pageant. During an interview with Tri Thức – Znews, she acknowledged that after winning Miss Vietnam in 2014, she did not pursue her studies in Foreign Economics at Hanoi Foreign Trade University. She opted for part-time classes but ultimately did not complete her degree.
Following her recent victory as Miss Universe Vietnam 2024, this topic has garnered significant attention online once again.
Some commentators expressed dismay, arguing that lacking a degree might hinder Ky Duyen’s ability to represent education positively when engaging with the Miss Universe organization.
One individual remarked, “A beauty queen without a degree may find it difficult to promote educational values. Her statements on such topics seem less impactful.”
Others echoed this sentiment, noting, “Having a degree could have made a difference. It’s evident she switched to part-time but still didn’t finish her education.”
In contrast, certain supporters defended Ky Duyen by asserting that beauty queens should possess various attributes beyond academic credentials and that a degree shouldn’t be a requirement for holding the title. They also emphasized the significance of a beauty queen’s contributions during and after their reign.
“The primary goal of beauty contests like Miss Universe is entertainment. Therefore, having a college degree isn’t a strict criterion for contestants,” another audience member stated.
Throughout the debate, Ky Duyen has remained reticent, choosing not to directly address the backlash. On her personal social media, she stated, “I value the hard work and ambition that have brought me here! It’s never too late to start over.”
At Miss Universe Vietnam 2024, it was specified that contestants must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. No college or university qualification was necessary, meaning there were no competition rule violations.
Additionally, first runner-up Quynh Anh also faced scrutiny regarding her education. She has only completed high school, halting her university education in Hanoi to compete in The Face Vietnam 2018 and later postponing her studies in Ho Chi Minh City for the Supermodel Me 2021 contest in Singapore. As of now, Quynh Anh has not resumed her academic pursuits.
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Ky Duyen has recently been crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2024. |
In the previous year, Bui Quynh Hoa encountered criticism for being expelled from Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema over “academic misconduct during the first semester of the 2023-2024 academic year.” Later, she enrolled in a distance learning program at the National Economics University in Hanoi.
In earlier years, Miss Universe Vietnam did not mandate that contestants possess a university degree, allowing numerous women to enter based on their beauty, although higher education accomplishments could sometimes draw criticism.
For instance, Ngoc Chau received backlash for failing to complete her degree in biotechnology at Ton Duc Thang University due to surpassing the probation period. She recognized that obtaining a degree is vital for career stability, leading her to switch her focus to communications and marketing.
Past Vietnamese participants in Miss Universe, including H’Hen Niê, Khanh Van, and Kim Duyen, have all faced scrutiny regarding their educational backgrounds.
Kim Duyen, who represented Vietnam in Miss Universe 2021, left Nam Can Tho University after her first year, moving to Singapore to study foreign languages and obtaining a certificate in business administration. During this transition, she faced criticism for having an outstanding 43 credits, resulting in a “withdrawn” status on her university’s records.
On an international scale, recent Miss Universe competitions have not mandated a university degree for participants, even though many winners are academically accomplished.
Last year’s winner, Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua, holds a Mass Communication degree from Universidad Centroamericana. Similarly, Miss Universe 2022, R’Bonney Nola Gabriel, graduated with a bachelor’s in Fashion Design and Manufacturing from North Texas University, while Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray, earned a master’s in music from Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Despite academic credentials being significant, they are not the sole determinant of success; winners also exhibit exceptional beauty, confidence, and the ability to articulate their personal values.
According to WWD, to participate in Miss World, candidates do not need to have a university degree. However, they must be women aged 17 to 27, unmarried, and without children. Contestants must also be citizens of the country they represent or have established significant residency there.
Miss Grand International focuses on the 4Bs criteria – Beauty, Body, Brain, and Business, while Miss International seeks candidates who embody well-rounded beauty through attributes like attitude, punctuality, and intelligence.
These events encourage contestants to engage proactively and leave a lasting impact on the community, with higher education not mentioned as a requirement.
VNN/Znews
