On 22 and 23 November, 2024, the 8th Postgraduate Research (PGR) Conference took place successfully at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). This significant academic event featured nearly 40 experienced academics as judges and attracted over 100 PhD students, all driven by a strong passion for research and innovation.

In addition to the participants from UNNC, the conference also welcomed 35 exceptional PhD students from prestigious institutions, including Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, and Wenzhou-Kean University.

During this two-day conference, these PhD students showcased their remarkable scientific achievements through compelling oral presentations and thoughtfully designed poster displays. They engaged actively in face-to-face discussions with the judges, enhancing the collaborative spirit of the event.

This conference not only established a new platform for research communication, but also opened a new chapter in the future of PhD education.

The opening ceremony on 22 November featured a welcome speech by Professor Alain Chong, Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Partnerships at UNNC.

Professor Qiu’s talk discussed how artificial intelligence can support mental health by developing algorithms to identify “beautiful” and “happy” images, creating a labeled image database, designing predictive models, and conducting neuroaesthetics research.

Professor Dai’s talk, “Through the Ruler and Eye of Deep Space: The Scientists’ Exploration Journey”, highlighted the importance of high-performance narrow-bandgap semiconductor materials for infrared detection. He discussed the challenges and characteristics associated with this technology, starting with the fundamentals of blackbody radiation and related processes. Professor Dai also shared how researchers have tackled these technical challenges throughout their arduous journey.

On the afternoon of 23 November, 2024, Professor Laura Bishop, Vice Provost for Research and Knowledge Exchange at UNNC, delivered the closing remarks for the conference.

She thanked the participating students and judges: “The exchanges and debates during this event not only broadened our intellectual horizons but also deepened our understanding of various research topics within the PGR. It was truly inspiring to witness how different perspectives and methodologies converge to generate new ideas and foster potential collaborations.”

Professor Bishop expressed her hope that doctoral students would continue to persevere in their future research endeavors and achieve even greater successes in their respective fields.

Here is the list of winners.

View the WeChat article.

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