Currently working as a data analyst in the United States, Zhang Chenyu, a Class of 2021 alumnus from Computer Science and Technology programme, shared his experience.

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Zhang Chenyu

"Honestly, computer science has never been my first choice, " Zhang Chenyu said.

In summer 2017, when Zhang Chenyu completed his National College Entrance Examination, he was already clear-cut about his passion in business studies. With an offer letter to Computer Science and Technology programme, Xiamen University Malaysia, he tried to match his major to his interests. 

"I started thinking about my future path from the last semester of my freshman year,” Zhang Chenyu recalled, “by discussing research topics with my lecturers, and participating in research projects. ” In year 2, Zhang Chenyu and his course mates assisted Dr. Liong Sze Teng and Dr. Gan Yee Siang on a year-long project about estimating the volume of food objects with convolutional neural network, and published his first research paper.

The continuous exposure to research and practice gave him a clearer understanding about his future goal, that is, to further his study in machine learning for master’s level. After dropping the opportunity of postgraduate recommendation, with a CGPA of 3.89, he moved on to the Master in Data Science programme of Johns Hopkins University.

The academic atmosphere of Johns Hopkins University allowed Zhang Chenyu to explore the world he has always been interested in. Apart from taking courses related to data analysis and machine learning, he also applied his knowledge to the fields of medicine and finance.

Utilizing the summer vacation, Zhang Zhenyu completed a research project in cooperation with IEEE with the help of his department. Meanwhile, he worked in the intensive care medical laboratory of Johns Hopkins Hospital to improve of ICU patients' condition via machine learning.

Zhang Chenyu is now working at the risk management and audit department of an investment bank, engaging himself in the analysis of the company's internal operation data, and will soon relocate to New York.

Today, he still misses the golden time he spent at Xiamen University Malaysia.

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Zhang Chenyu with his friends at XMUM

“Xiamen University Malaysia is a place where I learnt to appreciate myself and clarify my ideals,” Zhang Chenyu said.

“I am so grateful to have met all my buddies there and have a great time with them. I hope I can meet each and every of them again.”

(Contributed by Wang Shengjie & Ong Tze Hui)