On June 3, 2023, Duy Tan University (DTU) held its comprehensive session of the DTU 2023 Student Research Conference. 

The topic "An analysis of thematic roles in news articles and short stories" by student Lai Tan Nam - K26NAB3 of School of Foreign languages & Social Sciences, majoring in English, won the Third Prize at the Conference. A total of 18 topics were presented at the Conference, covering diverse fields such as engineering and technology sciences, computer science, health sciences, and socio-economic sciences.

The research "An analysis of thematic roles in news articles and short stories" delves into an advanced grammatical aspect of the subject of Syntax (in English) known as Thematic Roles. The study aims to explore the relationship between Semantic Roles and two primary writing forms: journalism and literature. It also seeks to provide writers with a deeper insight into the attributes and usage of words in texts, which can vary based on Semantic Roles. To accomplish this, the research paper will identify and define Semantic Roles, present the frequency of different types of Semantic Roles, and compare as well as analyze the frequency between the two genres of texts.

Tan Nam chose this topic because it relates to an area that he, a third-year student, is highly interested in and wishes to explore further. He believes that this research topic presents a challenge for him to enhance his expertise and research skills. He hopes that the research project will offer English major students a more profound understanding of English grammar in particular and linguistics in general, while providing them with valuable insights.

With confidence and fluent English-speaking abilities, Tan Nam presented his research in both English and Vietnamese, effectively conveying his topic to the Council. Upon receiving the Third Prize at the Conference, he shared, "I am very happy and proud to have achieved the third prize. This feeling motivates me even more in my work, and I hope to achieve even more success in the future. Thanks to the assistance of Ms. Phan Thi Thuy Tien during the process of studying Syntax as well as conducting research, I have gained a lot of new knowledge and skills. As a result, I am more confident in addressing arising issues and refining my research."

With only one more year of studies left at DTU, Tan Nam hopes that within this remaining time, he can further develop both soft and professional skills, thereby refining himself to be well-prepared for both his academic journey and future career.

The Student Research Conference is an annual academic event held at Duy Tan University, contributing to encouraging generations of students to enhance their spirit of creativity, strive, and effort in their studies. It serves as a valuable platform for applying theoretical knowledge to solve practical issues. Moreover, it acts as a stepping stone for the journey of many young individuals with a research-oriented future direction.