The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) held Summer 2023 Graduation Ceremony at the D.H. Lawrence Auditorium on 15 & 16 July 2023.
We were pleased to witness and share the happiness of the graduation of 78 Postgraduate Research (PGR) students: 5 EdD, 11 MRes and 62 PhD. Congratulations to you all!
In this special occasion, we invited some of our graduands to share with us their thoughts and experiences on their doctoral journey. Let’s have a look!
Graduands' Voice
- Chee Yap CHUNG
- PhD Environmental Engineering, FoSE
I really enjoy my PhD journey at UNNC. Throughout my PhD research, I have received a great deal of support and assistance. I would like to express my utmost appreciation to my PhD supervisor, Professor Xiaogang Yang, for his expert guidance and enthusiastic encouragement. I also appreciate the unlimited support from my family and friends, especially during the difficult time when I have had to continue my research remotely since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pursuing a PhD has always been one of my life goals, and I am now happy to say that I am a PhD graduate. I hope you achieve all your life goals and make some beautiful memories along your life journeys.
- Rui YANG
- PhD Mechanical Engineering, FoSE
My PhD study in the Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) programme between the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) and the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) is coming to a full stop. Here, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to my supervisors, Dr. Hao Chen from UNNC and Prof. Hua Li from NIMTE, for their invaluable guidance and constant support over the past four years. In addition, I will always be grateful to UNNC and NIMTE for providing this DTP programme. The Nottingham values — open-mindedness and willingness to give back and help others, as well as the truth-seeking spirit of NIMTE will always inspire my career in academia.
- Lin XIE
- PhD Chemical Engineering, FoSE
I was pregnant with my daughter when I applied for the EdD programme at UNNC, and I complete my studies, my daughter has turned 8. Being a working mother and an EdD at the same time has never been easy. There were many moments when I patted and comforted my daughter to sleep with my left hand and scrolled through the readings on my phone with the other; there were also moments when I got frustrated with my thesis, but still managed to carry on right after I wiping my tears off my cheek... This thesis could never have been completed without the continued support and patience of my supervisors, Professor Douglas Bell and Professor Anwei Feng, especially Professor Douglas who was always there to guide me through so many puzzles and confusions in my writing up.
Looking back, it has been a difficult road, but one that was well worth taking. I’ve grown stronger, tougher, and it seems that nothing in this world can knock me down after all the challenges I’ve been through.
- Yuanli MA
- PhD Built Environment, FoSE
Doing my PhD at UNNC has a special meaning for me. When the "Congratulations" rang out from the examiners at the end of my PhD VIVA, it meant that my life on campus at UNNC, which began as an undergraduate student, had come to an end.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to my supervisor and friend, Professor Wu Deng, and all the other teachers and schoolmates in the Department of Architecture Built Environment who have helped and guided me throughout my PhD studies. There have been setbacks and frustrations along the way, but more than that, there has been encouragement and support.
I am grateful for that the qualities of ‘humility, gratitude, optimism and responsibility’ that I have developed will enable me to be positive in my future life. Finally, I would like to share with everyone that "To be a genius, communicate with people and to be an artist, then talk to the world".
Cheers, to yourself!
- Shanshan JIANG
- MRes in Environmental Science and Engineering
UNNC gave me the opportunity to study further and gain deeper insights deeper into life. I still remember the day I got the offer from UNNC in 2021, when I was in the office working for the company. The offer was like a button that shifted my life from career to campus. After more than a year of studying at UNNC, I am more than happy to see the great changes in myself, both in research ability and state of mind. Therefore, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisors Prof Jun He and Dr. Yong Sun for their support and encouragement, to all the staff and classmates for their kindness and friendship, to all the cute cats for their furry companion, and to UNNC for the beautiful environment. May we all achieve what we want and make it better.
- Camen TEH
- PhD Marketing, NUBS China
The path to completing a PhD has always been said to be full of highs and lows. Very fortunately for me, I’ve got to experience highest of ‘highs’ and was able to overcome the lowest of ‘lows’ thanks to a strong support system consisting of my supervisors, family and friends here in China. I have already and will continue to express my gratitude to my husband Dani, my family and circle of close friends for supporting me over the course of this journey. I would like to take this opportunity to also thank my supervisors, Professor David Phang, who is not only my academic mentor but my role model in life; as well as Professor Alain Chong, for seeing potential in me at a time when I believed I had none. Thank you both so much. I would also like to thank the unsung heroes at Graduate School, for working tirelessly to make our experience as PhD students a smooth and pleasant one. It is bittersweet to embark on a new chapter that is full of promises but also uncertainties – but if we’ve managed to power through to get our PhDs, I’m confident we can power through anything!
- Rachel HU
- PhD Strategy, NUBS China
Looking back on my PhD journey over the past few years, I feel deeply the twists and turns and hardships of the scientific research path. However, it is these experiences that have made me more determined in my research direction and beliefs. In this process, I also met many excellent mentors and colleagues whose guidance and support have enabled me to keep moving forward.
Completing my PhD is a defining moment in my life and marks me out as a true scholar. Although I am now staying at Graduate School as the manager for researcher training and development, I will still continue to explore and challenge new research fields. I believe that the knowledge and experience I have gained will be a strong support for my future development.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the way. Thank you for your support and encouragement, which enabled me to successfully complete my studies. I am excited to continue learning and growing, and to use the knowledge and skills I have gained to make a positive impact in my personal and professional life. Thank you again for your support, and I look forward to the next chapter of my journey!
- Heng HU
- PhD English Studies, FHSS
Completing this PhD would not have been possible without the unwavering support and encouragement from my beloved family. They have been my pillars of strength, my guiding light, and my biggest cheerleaders throughout this challenging but rewarding endeavor. Thank you for believing in me, understanding my sacrifices, and being there every step of the way.
I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my esteemed supervisors, Dr. Derek Irwin and Dr. Dan Shi. Your expertise, guidance, and unrelenting faith in my abilities have shaped me into the researcher I am today. Your mentorship has been invaluable, and I am forever grateful for the countless hours you have dedicated to nurturing my intellectual growth. Your unwavering commitment to excellence and passion for knowledge have inspired me to push my boundaries and strive for greatness.
To my fellow doctoral colleagues, thank you for your camaraderie, collaboration, and unwavering support. Our collective journey has been filled with intellectual stimulation and shared victories. I am grateful for the sense of community we fostered, the bonds we formed, and the invaluable insights we shared. The memories we created together during our time at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Undertaking this EdD has been a truly life-changing experience for me, and it would not have been achievable without the support and guidance that I received from many people. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped me along the way. In particular, I want to thank the professors and mentors who provided me with professional guidance and support, enabling me to make progress in my academic research. I also want to thank my colleagues and classmates who have shared their talents and innovative spirit with me. Additionally, my family and friends have always been there to support me, giving me encouragement and assistance.
I want to express my gratitude to UNNC and everyone who has helped me. Pursuing this EdD has been a significant milestone in my life, and it will have a profound impact on my future. I will continue to work hard!
We witnessed a group of outstanding PGR students completing their studies and embarking on a new chapter in their lives. We would like to express our highest congratulations and respect to all the graduands, your hard work and dedication have finally paid off.
Congratulations on your achievements! We wish you every success in your future career.
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