UNNC held 2022 summer graduation ceremonies at the D.H. Lawrence Auditorium from 9-10 July 2022.
We were pleased to witness and share the happiness of the graduation of 29 Postgraduate Research (PGR) students: 3 EdD, 3 MRes and 23 PhDs. Congratulations to you all!
In this special occasion, we invited some of our graduates to share with us their thoughts and experiences through their doctoral journeys. Now let's take a look!
Murtaza Faruquee
FoB, PhD
Lecturer in Supply Chain Management, University of Sussex, UK
“PhD is a journey, not a degree” I only understood the depth of this saying once I finished my dissertation and submitted it. Through this journey, I have grown and improved, not just as a researcher but also as a person. UNNC was subsumed in my whole PhD experience and helped me to become a confident and independent researcher. Overall, it was a fantastic experience; the high point was getting published in a prestigious journal during my PhD and getting a desirable job before graduation. I cannot thank my supervisors, reviewers, and the Graduate School enough for all their support and guidance. Especially during the pandemic, UNNC had been tremendously supportive; thus, I managed to earn my PhD with the least disruption and delay possible. Though the learning will always be with me, I will miss the stunning Nottingham, Ningbo campus forever.
Jia Jia Lim
FoB, PhD
Assistant Professor in Supply Chain Management & Sustainability at Zhejiang University
It seems like just yesterday that I arrived in China to start my studies; in just a blink of an eye, I am graduating with a PhD. The PhD journey is great both intellectually and emotionally. UNNC, as a truly globally connected university, has provided me with the best platform, opportunities and access to knowledge and people around the world. The uniqueness of this university has shaped who am I today. For this, I would like to express my gratitude to all faculties, staff and classmates who have created this great environment for us to explore. In particular, I will be always indebted to my supervisors, Prof Jing Dai and Prof Antony Paulraj for their constant support and encouragement. For the next milestone, I will continue to ask myself how I can contribute more or even exceed the expectations of the role I’m assigned to. I am looking forward to hearing the voices of all those with different backgrounds and experiences to show me the way. Lastly, to all future UNNC PhD students, I wish for all prayers and good thoughts to come your way. Good luck and enjoy the PhD journey at UNNC!
Teng Ma
FoB, PhD
Lecturer in Department of Computing, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU)
My PhD journey at UNNC had been one of the most unforgettable and rewarding experiences in my life, and what I have gained here is not limited in the academic area; it also changed the way how I see the world. Upon the time of my graduation, I want to give my sincere thanks to my supervisors, Professor Alain Chong and Professor Patrick Chau, for their consistent and supportive guidance on both how to do good research and become a real man. Also, I deeply appreciate the help I have received from my friends and faculties, they are so supportive and encouraging. What I have learned at UNNC is more than just the ability to do research; all the memories I have here also gave me the courage and confidence to face different challenges in the future.
Jinwei Cao
FoSE, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Nanyang Technological University
Until now, I cannot forget the midnight that I submitted the final version of PhD thesis, at which I ended my PhD journey and started a new role as a research fellow. Even though I’ve prepared for and imagined this moment for almost 4 years, this role transformation has happened so fast. When the internal and external examiners said "Congratulations, Dr Cao!” after my Viva, I was stunned for many seconds and then the tears began to shed. The four-year scientific research life is full of twists and turns, difficulties, and failure, but also filled with success, joy, and encouragement. I still remember that young boy who held ambitious research goals as a fresh PhD in the laboratory; the boy who pulled all-nighters just to work out the tough problems…that boy has finally grown into a young researcher whose new journey is about to start. I wish us to all have light in our eyes, ready to shine.
I would like to express sincere gratitude to my supervisors, Professor Guang Zhu (UNNC), Professor Run-Wei Li (CNITECH), and Professor Yiwei Liu (CNITECH). I am very fortunate that all my supervisors always spare no effort to help and cultivate me without reservation. I have become more inclusive to obtain all kinds of knowledge under Professor Li’s guidance. With a superior level of openness, I have grown to think more quickly and deeply. Under Professor Zhu’s guidance, I have established an effective way of thinking; I have learned to keep on trying harder under Professor Liu’s guidance filled with enthusiasm and persistence.
I’d like to share with you a slogan I have always believed in, “To experience more through difficulties". No matter what we are working on, or doing what kind of scientific research, we should keep thinking on the bright side, remain practical and look ahead to the future. I have been to Beijing, Ningbo and Singapore throughout my PhD journey, all these experiences helped to build the person I am today; I hope that we will all be able to see and love the different sides of ourselves through diverse experiences. Finally, I’d like to share with you a quote from Mr Yuanchong Xu, "Life is not about how many days you live, but how many days you remember. You want to make every day of your life memorable." May we all achieve what we want, and do it well.
Qirui Cui
FoSE, PhD
Distinguished Young Researcher, Institute of Materials Technology, Quantum Functional Materials and Devices Team
From July 2018 to June 2022, the short but fulfilling four-year doctoral study in Ningbo has finally come to an end. As I reflect on the past few years, there are many meaningful and touching moments that I will remember and cherish.
I’d like to express sincere gratitude to my supervisors, Prof. Ping Cui and Hongxin Yang. They often give students space for thought, development, and progress, which benefited me a lot. They research deeply, persevere and are overall great people. They are like the lights on the road of scientific research, bringing students courage and warmth. During my doctoral study, I pulled all-nighters, experienced the joy of research breakthroughs and did not admit defeat when I met obstacles.
On muddy roads will the footprints be left, the setbacks during student journey are inevitable. But I’d like to share with you that you should face those difficulties bravely and love your work at all times. Only by devoting yourself to it, can you be fearless of failure and achieve success. This journey has taught us how to be kind like water, be virtuous, be grateful, take ownership of our work, consistently innovate and explore cautiously. With memories and responsibilities on my shoulders, another journey is about to start. May we no longer remain in struggle and confusion, never forget our original intentions, and move forward bravely.
Shanshan Long
FoSE, PhD
Research Fellow in Multiphase Flow Modelling and Simulation at UNNC
For the past doctoral journey, the person whom I would most like to express my sincere thanks to is my PhD supervisor, Prof. Xiaogang Yang. My association with Prof. Yang dates back to the time when I first returned from the exchange programme in the UK and was lucky enough to have him as my supervisor for my final year project. After the meeting with Prof. Yang at my undergraduate graduation ceremony in 2017, I wrote: "How can I describe my teacher? Think of being outside in the hot sun, with the wind whistling in my ears and the rain pouring down, and he made me come out of such a place. I had probably never seen someone so calm in introspection." Having known Prof. Yang for six years now, the calm strength that he imparted to me, the rigor in his studies and the diligence to work harder than students, have not diminished in any way. He not only helped me tremendously with my dissertation but also guided me along the way. I also want to express sincere thanks to UNNC for providing a diverse platform and support with research resources.
Samuel Ampaw
FHSS, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar with the Global Poverty Research Lab, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (United States)
My PhD journey was exciting for many reasons. I will mention a few here. First, I had the best supervisory team (Profs Simon Appleton, Xuyan Lou, and Oliver Morrissey), whose kindness and ready-to-help attitude remained constant. They never used harsh words, even when my arguments were less convincing. Simon would instead say, “if I were you, I would do this or that”, which was encouraging. Second, we (the School of Economics) have a very responsive PhD Director (Prof Chew Chua), who invited me for coffee whenever I communicated my worries. Third, the support from FHSS and the Graduate School cannot be overlooked. I would never stop emphasizing the many award schemes that encourage positive competition among PGR students.
I am a Postdoctoral Research Scholar with the Global Poverty Research Lab, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (United States). I joined the Lab in November 2021 after submitting my PhD thesis in October 2021.
To end, I thank Simon and Oliver for working hard with me to secure admission and funding for my PhD and UNNC for offering several scholarships to international students. But for that, could I have reached here?
To all UNNC students: Congratulations on your achievements. Today you join an international community of Nottingham alumni who advance the name and the values of our University throughout the world. Wish you every success in your future career.