Alisa Pham (R) and her guardian-sharing older sister Vicky Ngo at Auckland University of Technology. Photo: Trung Nghia / Tuoi Tre
Alisa is also the only Vietnamese recognized in the 2025 Global Child Prodigy Awards (GCPA), ranking among the top 100 child prodigies worldwide in fields such as education, science, and innovation.
Currently, she is simultaneously pursuing two master’s degrees — one in philosophy of artificial intelligence at AUT, expected to be completed by the end of this year, and the other in psychology at Harvard University via online learning, with a projected finish in 2026.
The GCPA honored Alisa in the education category for her outstanding academic record and research focus on AI, psychology, media, and cybersecurity.
She now works as a research assistant to lecturer Jennie Watts at AUT, delving into AI, artificial social intelligence, and communication in community management and sustainable development dialogues.
When asked about her study methods, Alisa emphasized deep curiosity, critical thinking, and real-world application.
“I always start my day by following a structured study plan and try to finish assignments early instead of procrastinating,” she said.
Her chosen disciplines pose both present and future challenges.
She explained that her pursuit of psychology stems from a desire to understand human behavior and emotional disconnects that often lead to conflicts.
Regarding AI and cybersecurity, she sees them as essential tools for humanity to protect itself from the unintended consequences of its own innovations.
Alisa left Hanoi for New Zealand in 2017.
Her biggest wish is to complete her research and return to Vietnam to visit her grandmother’s grave, whom Alisa could not say goodbye to before she passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alisa also hopes to share her learning methods, critical thinking skills, and soft skills with Vietnamese students, while supporting remote-area students with educational resources.
“Being smart isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you can train through curiosity, focus, and persistence,” she said.
She has also launched Ozone Points, an AI-powered digital platform that allows users to register tree-planting activities and track personal contributions to environmental sustainability via smartphones.
The platform aims to raise awareness of carbon reduction and green living among youth, especially in Vietnam.
“My goal is lifelong learning and continuous development. I believe our greatest strength lies in unity and mutual understanding, so we can move together toward a happy, sustainable future,” Alisa said.
Alisa and her guardian-sharing older sister, Vicky Ngo, whose real name is Ngo Ngoc Chau, are both members of Mensa New Zealand.
Mensa New Zealand is a branch of the world-renowned high-IQ society Mensa International, which admits only the top two-percent of IQ scorers globally.
