HKPFS Awardee,
Recipient of Microsoft Research Fellowship Award 2018
CUHK shines in numerous aspects, with the top three being its commitment to fostering freedom of expression, its picturesque campus with serene natural landscapes and state-of-the-art facilities and the inspiring and nurturing support provided by the University to cultivate holistic student development.
I chose CUHK for my postgraduate studies primarily because of its unparalleled position in the AI research sector and its location in the vibrant and dynamic region of Hong Kong. As a beacon of innovation, Hong Kong offers a liberating environment with robust research support and seamless collaborations with mainland China, which is currently at the forefront of AI research and development. Moreover, CUHK is home to the prestigious Multimedia Lab steered by the renowned Prof. Xiaoou Tang, where I had the privilege to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the field.
CUHK has significantly propelled my research and professional growth by providing exceptional computational resources. Unlike most laboratories where GPU resources are limited, thanks to the support from the University, our laboratory allocated sufficient GPU cards for each PhD student, thereby greatly expediting our research and facilitating more computationally intensive experiments. Beyond this, the University also provides comprehensive research skill enrichment courses on vital areas such as presentation proficiency, adept writing and literature review techniques, which are instrumental in honing our capabilities further.
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) has been a cornerstone in facilitating my research pursuits and carving out a promising path for my future career. Through substantial financial support, it relieved me of financial worries and allowed me to fully concentrate on my research. Moreover, with the provision of travel grants, I was able to attend top-tier academic conferences to present our findings and absorb knowledge from other pre-eminent researchers in the field. This exposure has led to the publication of over five papers in top-tier conferences and allowed me to earn the recognition of the Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship in 2018 as one of the eleven awardees in the Asia Pacific region.
My journey at CUHK was significantly guided by my supervisor, who initiated my research journey by setting a clear and promising direction. We had regular discussions and his insightful reviews of my work have been instrumental in shaping my research progress. My supervisor also exhibited an unfaltering readiness to offer invaluable solutions and guidance whenever I encountered hurdles. As I approached the culmination of my PhD, he also engaged with me in profound discussions to discern the career path most aligned with my expertise and aspirations. His unwavering support has been a pillar of strength throughout my academic journey.
