While many students are still grappling with textbook knowledge, Maoduan Ran, a graduate of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), has already derived two mathematical propositions at a master's level during his undergraduate years. "He has demonstrated exceptional talent in mathematics; his proof of the convergence of constants provides new theoretical support for measuring urban traffic congestion," praised Professor Wasiur Khudabukhsh from the University of Nottingham. It was this outstanding performance in mathematics that secured Maoduan offers from both University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.
As early as in high school, Maoduan had set his sights on UNNC. "During the open day, I learned about the university's high standards, internationalised teaching characteristics, and strong academic atmosphere, all of which fascinated me. So, instead of choosing a 211 university, I aimed to go further on the broad platform of UNNC," he said.
During his two years at UNNC, Maoduan particularly enjoyed and was influenced by the foundational mathematics course taught by Dr Jun Fan. He recalls, "The first two years at UNNC provided me with a solid foundation, especially Dr Fan's class, which sparked my interest in probability theory. For example, when we studied basic probability distributions, Dr Fan consistently emphasised the relationships and transformations between definitions, probability density functions, and cumulative distribution functions, which gave me a strong grounding in mathematical theory."
In his third year, Maoduan went on to study at the University of Nottingham in the UK, broadening his international perspective and engaging in intellectual exchanges with faculty and students worldwide. He also participated in a research project on random graph theory under Professor Wasiur Khudabukhsh, where he proved the convergence properties of a certain constant within random graphs. This research has significant implications in both mathematics and practical applications such as solving urban traffic congestion and planning.
Following this, at the strong recommendation of Professor Khudabukhsh, Maoduan collaborated with Professor Kumarjit Saha on a study of topological spaces, proving that certain stochastic processes in topological spaces ultimately converge to tree-like structures. "UNNC connected me with those who have already reached the summit, allowing me to stand on the shoulders of giants in my mathematical explorations. The teachers were incredibly supportive, always willing to answer my questions, no matter the time," Maoduan said.
Moreover, the University of Nottingham's preparatory courses for postgraduate applications greatly benefited him. These courses, closely aligned with postgraduate study content, offered professional guidance in preparing application materials, ensuring he progressed steadily along the application path. "These courses enhanced my academic skills, which was a crucial factor in receiving the offers."
This September, Maoduan will officially begin his studies at the University of Oxford. He is full of confidence in the journey ahead. "Every step I took at UNNC was laying a solid foundation for the explorations to come."
Published on 20 June 2024