UIC encourages experiential learning, guiding students with solid skills both in theories and practice and releasing their potential for good. Here are three students sharing how they locate their paths in scientific research after their four-year study at UIC.
Yao Yueying: Discover your passion and aim at it
Yao Yueying graduated from UIC's Food Science and Technology (FST) programme in 2021. She now is an MSc Student in Food Science and Human Nutrition at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Yao Yueying
Last year, Yueying published her first SCI paper in a famous academic journal, Food Chemistry, as an undergraduate. This year, when still studying for her master's degree at NUS, she was admitted to the PhD Programme in Food Science and Technology with a full scholarship by the university. Motivated by interest, Yueying decided to continue her journey in scientific research as a PhD student.
Before making the decision, Yueying was uncertain about her academic future. She then consulted her bachelor's tutors, Prof Bruce Xu and Dr Daphne Wu, who had helped her blow away her confusion and hesitation.
"UIC's teachers are always generous to share their study experience with students," Yueying said, "and they pay great attention to our future development."
Yueying is highly self-disciplined. Every day, she will do experiments from 8 am to 3 pm and study theories from 6 pm to 9 pm. She expected to discover her real passion by investing more time in the lab.
Yao Yueying (first from left) with friends at UIC
Yang Jiayu: Reach destination with firm purpose and constant effort
Yang Jiayu chose the Computer Science and Technology (CST) programme when studying at UIC and graduated in 2018 with his bachelor's degree. Now he is studying for his PhD in Computing Vision at the Australian National University (ANU).
Yang Jiayu
Studying at UIC provided Jiayu with a solid foundation in computer science. Prof Amy Zhang led him to the door of computing vision, guiding him in his research projects and Final Year Project (FYP). In 2018, his group project won the start-up fund from Hong Kong Cyberport, and the Guangzhou government also recognised it as a project that could improve human livelihood.
Yang Jiayu and Prof Amy Zhang (first from right) at the FYP exhibition
Later, regarding ANU's fame and strength in computing vision, Jiayu chose to study for his MPhil at ANU. He published three papers at the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) and IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (TPAMI). The fruitful results offered him an opportunity to stay at ANU as a PhD student.
Jiayu was determined to devote himself to science and benefit more people with his research.
Li Peilong: Clear planning makes every second worth
Li Peilong graduated from UIC in 2017 in Food Science and Technology (FST) programme. He is currently a PhD student in Food Science and Technology, Cornell University.
Li Peilong
UIC nourished Peilong with passion and ability in science research, which is essential for his graduate study. When studying for his master's degree, he published papers in Food Chemistry and the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Besides, his research was presented to the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) and won an award for him.
Li Peilong and Prof Bruce Xu (first from right) at UIC Division of Science and Technology (DST) Poster Presentation
Peilong's interest not only rests on science research. During his undergraduate time at UIC, he was a National Scholarship awardee as well as a marine protection project leader at United Innovation Charity Club (UICC).
Time is limited, so he suggested that UIC students could use semester breaks for language examinations, internships and more to support their application for further study.
From MPRO
Reporter: Du Jiewen
Photographers from interviewees
Editors: Cecilia Yu, Deen He
