In 2026, the sixth cohort of undergraduate graduates from Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) is ready to set sail. Armed with the knowledge and courage bestowed by their alma mater, and guided by the belief of "Dream it. Do it.", they have etched their youth in constant exploration and breakthrough. Let us step into their stories, and witness how they take action as wings to wider skies.

Name: Ye Chengzhi

High School: Zhengzhou No. 7 High School

Program: Mechanical Engineering and Robotics (MER)

Award: 

Dean’s list (2022-2023&2023-2024&2024-2025)

Outstanding Academic Performance Award (Top 10% GPA, Academic Year 2022–2023)

GPA at application: 92.8/100

Offer：

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Robotics; Mechanical Engineering）

Johns Hopkins University (Robotics; Mechanical Engineering）

University of Pennsylvania (Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics)

Over four years at GTIIT, Chengzhi completed his own "trilogy" of growth: breaking through the language barrier, building a solid academic foundation, and discovering his passion for research. From a student with weak English basics to earning top grades in an all-English environment and receiving offers from multiple world-class robotics programs, he made his way up through steady effort.

A Rough Start, Then a Turnaround

"I set my sights on an international path early on, hoping to study abroad or work in a global academic environment." For him, GTIIT's all-English instruction, international faculty, and research resources made the ideal "transition platform", making it his clear choice after the Gaokao.

When he joined GTIIT, he encountered a "rough start." His limited English skills — the classic "mute English" syndrome — made it difficult to communicate with the multilingual foreign faculty. His approach was straightforward: mastering CET4 vocabulary, sitting in the front row of every class, and actively engaging with professors. " CET4 vocabulary covers most of the words you need for daily life," he noted. "Basic, but incredibly practical."

He worked on every aspect of the language through sheer repetition. After one semester, he could follow all-English classes with ease. And the rough start was behind him.

Top 10%  Academic Performance Award in MER program

With the language barrier cleared, he threw himself into increasingly in-depth studies. "My favorite course was Kinematics, Dynamics, and Control of Robots in senior year. It was the first time I truly understood how robots are described and controlled mathematically." The course tied together dynamics, control theory, and linear algebra into a unified framework, and that clarity fascinated him.

"GTIIT's curriculum is broad and theoretically grounded, covering everything from mechanics and control to energy, mechanical design, circuits, and robotics, with strong emphasis on math and physics fundamentals," he said.

For him, this design was not just about expanding knowledge. It trained students to break down complex problems. "We didn't just learn methods; we understood the modeling and reasoning behind them. That sharpened my ability to analyze and solve tough engineering challenges."

Passion Forged by Robotic Arms

With a solid foundation, Chengzhi's senior project became the perfect opportunity to put his knowledge into practice. Under Professor Nicolaas THERON’s guidance, he worked on controlling a six-axis robotic arm using a control algorithm, completing both simulation and real-world testing.

Simulation and physical machine in the project

"My interest in robotics started with inspiration from upperclassmen," he said. But the real passion came from hands-on experience in Professor THERON's research group. "When I actually started modeling, simulating, debugging, and finally making the robotic arm perform the intended motion on the physical machine, I felt incredibly excited. That moment taught me what it really means to be interested in something."

That excitement confirmed his decision to pursue robotics. "I know it's a basic project, but when you actually see the machine move through your own modeling, control, and debugging, nothing beats that.”

"As an undergrad, you have a lot of room for trial and error, so don't be too afraid of 'picking the wrong lab' or 'choosing the wrong direction,'" Chengzhi said. Trying out different labs and research projects matters more than making the perfect choice from the start. "You'll gradually discover what you're willing to invest time in, what gets you thinking, and what truly excites you."

The passion, found near the end of his senior year, gave him more confidence for graduate studies. "I've always believed interest and passion matter most. They decide if you'll persist and keep going when things get hard."

Text: GTIIT News & Public Affairs

Photos: provided by Ye Chengzhi