Building Future Optometry Leaders through the Paediatric Refractive Error Training Centre (PRETC)
The Paediatric Refractive Error Training Centre (PRETC) is based at 42C Ly Thuong Kiet in Hanoi. The PRETC, supported by the Brien Holden Foundation with Optometry Giving Sight funding, plays a pivotal role in training future optometrists while delivering quality eye care to the community. An Dung graduated with a degree in Optometry and Vision Science from Hanoi Medical University in 2020. In her third and fourth years, she gained valuable hands-on experience at PRETC, engaging directly in patient care under the supervision of experienced faculty. This early exposure allowed her to develop both technical skills and clinical confidence before completing her degree.
Her commitment and competence led to her recruitment, upon graduation, as a junior teacher in the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry. She was soon appointed the main coordinator at PRETC — a testament to her professional growth and the centre’s role in nurturing talent.
Reflecting on her time at the centre, Dung describes it as “much more than just a clinical site; it is a vibrant, open, and inspiring learning environment.”
Returning to PRETC as an instructor gave Dung a deeper appreciation for the value it offers. She has embraced the responsibility of preserving its open, practice oriented, and student-focused learning environment. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Vision Science in Malaysia, she plans to return and contribute further to its teaching and research mission.
“I am deeply grateful to the centre for laying the foundation of my professional journey,” she shares. “It has shaped my path in both clinical practice and academic growth, and I look forward to giving back to this meaningful place.”
Dung’s journey from student to coordinator, and now a postgraduate scholar, illustrates PRETC’s success in cultivating skilled, confident, and committed optometry professionals. By combining modern facilities, layered learning opportunities, and mentorship, the centre not only enhances educational outcomes but also strengthens the quality of eye care in Hanoi.
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