The day before leaving Xiamen University Malaysia, Zhao Wenqi donated over fifty books he had used throughout his university years to the library. The neatly stacked books encapsulated his years at the XMUM, symbolizing both the challenges he overcame and the memories he created.

As he gazed at the growing pile, it felt as though the unanswered questions of his past had been resolved, and the moments of debate with lecturers and classmates had become some of his most cherished memories.

Once filled with uncertainty, Zhao now faces the future with newfound confidence, ready for his next adventure.

Zhao Wenqi attended academic conference on behalf of Xiamen University Malaysia

When asked about the secrets to his achievements, Zhao attributes it to two main factors: self-discipline and passion. At the start of his university journey, Zhao set three long-term goals: to complete a patent, run five times a week, and publish an SCI paper - exceeding the first and third while almost achieving the second.

The third goal, related to research, became Zhao's primary focus. He dedicated much of his spare time to his research, finding that academic exploration not only satisfied his curiosity but also provided the joy of creation. Zhao likens his research papers to works of art, reveling in the process of discovering patterns in data and weaving them into a complete “story”.

Zhao’s passion for research developed gradually during his undergraduate years. Despite struggling with math in high school, he recognized its critical role in economics, especially in econometrics and game theory. To conquer his fear, Zhao enrolled in more challenging math courses and credits Dr. Liu Jie from the Mathematics Department with significantly enhancing his understanding.

Economics research is divided into two main paradigms: qualitative and quantitative. After overcoming his fear of math, Zhao chose the quantitative approach, focusing on using mathematical models to uncover universal principles. This choice allowed him to effectively apply his skills and make meaningful contributions to the field.

Zhao’s academic journey was further guided by two lecturers, Dr. Toh Moau Yong and Dr. Ong Chui Zi. Dr. Toh helped Zhao refine his first research paper on the impact of innovation city pilot policies on industrial upgrading, which led to Zhao representing Xiamen University Malaysia at the Peking University New Era Chinese Youth Economics Forum. Dr. Ong encouraged Zhao to expand a course project on predicting gold futures prices using machine learning into a full research paper, which later won the Best Paper Award at the 12th International Conference on Logistics and Systems Engineering.

Currently, Zhao’s research focuses on evaluating the impact of government pilot policies on regional economic development and public welfare using quantitative models. He believes this research has practical significance and can contribute to future policy improvements.

After completing two internships, Zhao’s resolve to pursue an academic career strengthened, leading him to apply exclusively for PhD programs. Despite receiving offers from prestigious institutions such as Peking University, Renmin University of China, Fudan University, and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhao chose Zhejiang University. His decision was heavily influenced by the mentorship of Prof. Zhao Zhirong, whose warm and engaging interview left a lasting impression.

“A good mentor is crucial during your PhD studies, and I felt that Zhejiang University was the right place for me,” Zhao said with a smile.

Although Zhao has been intensely focused on research, he also has a romantic side. He fondly recalls the serene moments at XMUM when the campus lights would shine brightly at dusk, a moment of tranquility that he cherished as part of his university dream.

As Zhao prepares to embark on the next chapter of his journey, he offers heartfelt advice to his juniors who are also chasing their dreams: “Take full advantage of the resources at XMUM. Explore different fields early on through internships or research to discover what truly interests you. Don’t be afraid to ‘learn by doing’ - it’s the best way to clarify your direction.”

(Contributed by Zhang Xincheng)