In the world of scientific research, each exploration is a journey into the unknown. Looking back at Li Ying's four years at GTIIT, the open teaching mode, immersive English-taught environment, and research-oriented academic culture all laid a solid foundation for her research. After graduating from GTIIT, she chose to study in the program of Chemical Engineering at the National University of Singapore. Upon completing her mater's degree, she successfully got a fully-funded Ph.D. offer in electronic engineering from Nanyang Technological University. She now stands poised to embark on her long-cherished academic odyssey.

Today, let's listen to the story of Li Ying, a 2019 graduate of GTIIT Chemical Engineering program.

Four Years at GTIIT : 

Opened the Door to Scientific Research 

"GTIIT gave me the opportunity to explore scientific research and introduced me to my first mentor on this path," said Li Ying. Looking back on her undergraduate years, she admitted that her Gaokao scores were not satisfactory, and she went through a difficult period in her initial transition to GTIIT. The English teaching model and the fast pace of the courses were the most daunting, but these unleashed her potential. "Under moderate pressure, I quickly learned to actively seek help and to work together with my classmates for improvement," she said. After smoothly navigating the adjustment period, Li Ying began to thrive in university.

“GTIIT was a key for my further studies. The solid curriculum, especially in engineering basics, data processing and experiment design, laid a strong foundation for me.”The English teaching model also helped her get used to reading English papers and writing research reports in English. “Thanks to this, I didn't struggle with language during my graduate studies in Singapore and could focus fully on my study.”

At GTIIT, Li Ying met He Xuezhong, a professor who had a profound impact on her. She joined Prof. He’s research group. In her eyes, Prof. He is almost an “all - round” mentor, proficient in material experiments, with a strong industrial background, and skilled in numerical simulation and code modelling. He emphasizes logic and mechanism analysis behind every experiment. Learning from Prof. He, Li Ying quickly developed systematic thinking and good research habits. “It’s no exaggeration that this stage transformed me from an undergraduate student merely following instructions into a researcher who can think independently and integrate interdisciplinary knowledge,” she said. Years after graduation, she still vividly remembers her time in the research group.

“In the research group, I participated in the research on CO? separation membranes under humid conditions. Our team made nano-composite membranes and tested their properties through gas permeation experiments. This was my first full-scale involvement in a research project.”This whole process, from paper investigation to material preparation, experiment operation, and then to data analysis, really sparked her interest in scientific research. During her undergraduate years, she got to publish an academic paper as the first author in Polymers, an international journal in polymer science.

Exploration in Workplace: 

Deepened My Commitment to a Ph.D

With a solid foundation in mathematics and physics, as well as strong research abilities, Li Ying successfully received an offer of a master's program from the National University of Singapore. After interacting with classmates from different backgrounds, she became even more aware of the unique advantages of GTIIT. "We got used to writing papers and giving presentations in English and were more willing to interact with professors and ask questions. These habits helped me quickly adapt to the new environment."

Beyond its teaching model, GTIIT's strong research culture, which actively encourages undergraduate research, helped Li Ying quickly identify her academic focus in the new university. "The experiments I did as an undergraduate student made me realize I love scientific research. My choice was driven by passion, not just for higher education. Some of my peers from other universities began research in their master's years. Under great research pressure with limited room for trial and error, they tend to work on projects just for publications, lacking the drive of interest and initiative."

After obtaining her master's degree, Li Ying chose to work. "In my daily work, my research and independent thinking skills were noticed by my boss. He recommended me for more challenging projects, and the results were recognized by the team." In addition, her boss's repeated encouragement also strengthened her confidence in further education.

After a rigorous selection process, she got a fully-funded Ph.D. position in Electronic Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, achieving a rare cross-field success. She attributes this to the critical thinking and logic skills she gained from her research experience at GTIIT, which have served her well in both workplace and her academic pursuit.

"I'm excited about the semiconductor industry's potential in energy, communications, and AI. During my Ph.D., I'll delve into its applications in next-generation chips and device packaging. I aim to turn lab-based innovations into practical solutions and contribute to the industry," said Li Ying with confidence.

"Scientific research is not just about experiments; it also requires continuously expanding your horizons, actively seeking resources, and constantly renewing yourself. Platform is important, but what is more important is whether you can take the initiative at each stage, build up your strength, and seize opportunities." She specifically mentioned that choosing the right mentor is often more important than choosing the right project. Having a mentor who is truly willing to share their knowledge and focus on cultivating her way of thinking is the most valued asset on her research journey. "I was so fortunate to meet Professor He Xuezhong during my undergraduate years."

Text: GTIIT News & Public Affairs

Photos: Li Ying