CityUHK’s GREAT student thrive at the University of Cambridge

Isaac Ho King-yin, a fourth-year student in the Global Research Enrichment and Technopreneurship (GREAT) programme offered by the College of Science at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), conducted a research internship at the University of Cambridge, where he explored the properties of a material under different conditions, such as low temperature, high pressure, and magnetic fields. He dreams of becoming a physics researcher.

The GREAT programme attracts scientifically curious students by offering research-driven opportunities that foster international perspectives and innovative thinking. Thanks to scholarships from CityUHK, Isaac has embarked on his academic and research journey at one of the world’s most prestigious university.

In GREAT students' second year, they can choose specialised streams in chemistry, computing mathematics, or physics and engage in independent research under the mentorship of esteemed scholars.

Isaac’s passion for physics led him to the GREAT programme, where his mentor is Professor Zhang Ruiqin of the Department of Physics. Regarding his reasons for opting for the GREAT programme, he said, “I was attracted by the novel teaching approach in this programme. The best thing about the GREAT programme is its research-oriented focus. Unlike traditional teaching of the natural sciences, the GREAT programme offers students more opportunities to engage in research and internships. These allow me to receive both academic guidance and valuable insights from industry experts, helping me enhance my competence and significantly enrich my perspectives.”

Isaac has benefited immensely from the mentorship of industry experts and collaboration with the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI). These mentors provide valuable insights into entrepreneurship, business operations, planning, intellectual property and patent applications, helping students translate their technological innovations into market-ready products.

Now back from the University of Cambridge after half a year, Isaac is delighted to have immersed himself in the rich history and culture of the UK. He actively participated in research projects there to prepare himself to become a physics researcher. “My interest in physics has greatly developed at CityUHK, and I hope to build my future upon it,” he said.

Isaac embodies the spirit of the GREAT programme, melding academic excellence with real-world applications and setting his sights on becoming a trailblazer in his respective fields.

Isaac (front row, second from left) participates in research projects at Cambridge to prepare himself to become a physics researcher.

CityUHK has introduced a series of Flagship Programmes with an enticing scholarship scheme for the 2024/25 academic year to empower students with vital knowledge and skills, cultivate their global leadership abilities, and connect them with leading professionals. The four Flagship Programmes are: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, BBA Global Business, Global Research Enrichment and Technopreneurship, and Pathway for Research, Innovation, and Multinational Engineering.

Starting from the 2025/26 academic year, the Flagship Programmes will be expanded to nine programmes, adding: BSocSc in Psychology (Stream: Wellbeing Enhancement and Care Management (WE-CARE) Programme), Creative Arts and Technology Excellence, Data Empowerment: Learn, Transform and Achieve, International Sustainability Programme for Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship, and Bachelor of Laws.

For more information of the Flagship Programmes and Flagship Scholarships, please visit the following website.