Time flies and the second cohort of students graduate from Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) this year. In the series of interviews with the graduates from the Class of 2022, we will show their stories at GTIIT in the past four years.

Here is the story of Luo Yilun, a student of the Class of 2022 from the Materials Science and Engineering Program.

High School: Guangzhou Pui Ching Middle School

Received Offers from: KU Leuven, University of Twente, University of Groningen

Awards：GTIIT Chancellor's Scholarship

Stick to the Choice

When Spring turned into Summer of 2018, GTIIT's first cohort just finished their first-year study, while Luo, got lost at his eighteen after Gaokao exam. Whether to make the safe choice to study at a traditional domestic university, or take the risk to study overseas for an opener atmosphere, became a question for the boy and his family.

Luo with His Father

Introduced by his father, GTIIT faded into Luo's sight as the only Sino-foreign joint university focusing on science and technology, as well as the China Campus of the Technion. Innovative education system in GTIIT, famous for its high-quality faculty team and the Jewish education style Chutzpah, attracted Luo and soon they decided to visit the campus in person. The university turned out to be beyond his imagination, with openness, inclusiveness, innovation and science. Luo's father also encouraged him to get improved in GTIIT, and further study abroad to master cutting-edge knowledge and skills.

Luo with Professor Eli Aljadeff,

Head of GTIIT Mathematics Program

With a solid foundation for science and English, Luo became accustomed to GTIIT's learning pace not long after being admitted. Same as his schoolmates, Luo got well-trained here. Strict academic standards urge students to catch up with knowledge-rich interdisciplinary curriculum; open academic environment encourages students to join the research group based on their interest from the first two years in university; abundant resources allows each student to enhance laboratory experiences by operating the equipment under the guide of the professors. "I gained so much in such an open and innovative campus!" said Luo. 

Luo (First from the Left) with Research Team Members

Though under great pressure, Luo seldom gets depressed as he holds the life motto "Carpe diem", a quote from his favorite movie Dead Poets Society, with the meaning of "Seize the Day". In the bachelor's years, he took an internship in Guangzhou International Bio-Island, spent nights with friends at the innovation center at GTIIT to watch movies, organized the exciting Halloween party, taught the middle school students and joined the Dragon Boat team for local racing. Luo, together with the faculty and the peers,  was amused by the abundant activities held in GTIIT, and also took the role as the culture communicator between China and Israel.

Movie Activities held by Luo

Halloween Party held by Luo

Luo Volunteered to Teach in Middle School

Luo in Dragon Boat Racing

From GTIIT to A Bigger World

Luo studied Materials and Science Engineering Program, a cross-disciplinary subject, pushing the students to take almost the largest amount of classes comparing with other programs opened in 2018. His faith was once shaken due to the heavy study load and the uncertainty brought by the pandemic. After consultations with professors and senior students, he realized that he couldn't grab both breadth and depth in just four years, and thus needed to focus on a particular subject to further study.

When asked why choosing Nanotechnology as his research concentration, Luo explained that a person with knowledge and expertise became increasingly important due to the high demand for human resources required by the prospering Chinese New Infrastructure Development, which refers to infrastructure that is 'digital, smart, and innovative', with the semi-conductor industry as one clear example.

Luo decided to start his master's study in KU Leuven in Belgium. Same as GTIIT, KU Leuven values research-based education and was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university of Europe since 2016. Luo introduced that his master's course and research would focus on digital chip design and semiconductor devices, with a strong interaction with the world-leading nanotechnology research institute IMEC. He looked forward to applying the knowledge to new products.

Luo with Friend

To Luo's surprise, the 600-year-old university provided a scholarship for the young man. "Thanks GTIIT for I stepped up from here to a bigger world. I will keep going on!" Luo expressed his sincere appreciation for his Alma Mater before setting out for Belgium.

Gao Jiajie, Luo's best friend and GTIIT graduate, chose a similar program. These young GTIIT alumni are chasing a further study related to China's key industries, hoping to fulfill themselves during the industry transformation of the country.

Luo with Parents and Friends

Text: GTIIT News & Public Affairs

Photos: Luo Yilun