While the student traffic across Bandar Sunsuria was much lighter over the month of September (school break for XMUM undergraduates), three XMUM students spent their summer doing internship in research laboratories at China’s top universities, thanks to the facilitation and kind arrangement of Professor Ong Chong Kim. The research attachments aimed to help the students, all from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, to get hands-on experience and develop new scientific insights from world-renown laboratories.

Professor Ong, the key person in facilitating the summer research attachments, pointed out the importance of such initiatives:

“To train future engineers and scientists, it is a must to attach them to active research group. The exposure allows students to gain access to different knowledge, resources, and perspectives to utilize in their future endeavours.”

The Office of Research and Innovation caught up with the students to find out what they had been doing during the internship, why they found it interesting, and what were the greatest benefits of conducting research during the holiday.

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Yang (from right) and Wang posing in front of Peking University entrance.

Miss Yang Xiaoqi 

Attached to: Peking University

Research Lab: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems & Networks

Mentor: Professor Xu Shengyong

What kind of opportunity do you get during the summer research?

We got the knack of how the temperature of a single cell surface was measured using thermocouple. We learnt about the process of thermocouple – lithography, Electron Beam Lithography (EBL), coating and developing; and got hands-on experience soldering PCB boards. We were thrilled to gain practical knowledge that was only available outside the classroom. I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Peking University Stomatological Hospital. There, we learned about 3D printing. We printed small devices that would be used in research of cerebral cortical neurons connection.

During the week, I worked side by side with Prof Xu’s doctoral students and my classmate Wang. In my spare time I got out and toured around Beijing, a city with rich culture and history. I visited Tiananmen Square and Beijing Zoo. I found pandas most lovely.

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Wang Jifei soldered a piece of PCB board.

Mr Wang Jifei

Attached to: Peking University

Research Lab: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems & Networks

Mentor: Professor Xu Shengyong

Why do you find the summer research interesting?

I was excited to directly participate in research activities at Peking University. It was like a dream fulfilled. Summer research at Peking University gave me an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. I want to be a great engineer one day. My lab experience had provided me with broader experience in the field of cell research.

During the attachment, Professor Xu gave me an advice that I would remember for years. He said to me, “The best approach to conduct a research is to grasp the multitude of information in each step, and systematically break them down to understand the cause and effect of each phenomenon.”

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At the backdrop is the Department of Architecture building at Zhejiang University that Zhai finds unique and special.

Mr Zhai Qingwei

Attached to: Zhejiang University

Research Lab: Center for Optical and Electromagnetic Research

Mentor: Professor Ma Yungui

What would you say is the greatest benefit of conducting research during the holiday?

The research opportunity at Zhejiang University added layers of depth to my undergraduate life. I got a glimpse of how researchers worked, lived, and carried out experiments in an advanced laboratory setting. The research attachment in Prof Ma’s lab provided broader experience of making metasurface on silicon using optics and electromagnetics.

Through this summer research, I refined my research interest and brought it to the next level. I feel truly blessed to get to know, have discussion with, and receive guidance from faculty members who had years of experience and a broad range of knowledge. I enjoyed my lunch-time discussion with the seniors. My favourite spots in Zhejiang University are the canteens. They create a space where the seniors and I can share our interests and troubles in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. I am inspired to pursue a career in research.