(HKPFS Awardee)
Assistant Professor,
Operations & Logistics Division
UBC Sauder School of Business
University of British Columbia
Perfect Fit for a Rising Star in Optimisation and Machine Learning
Jiajin Li always knew she wanted to apply her mathematical skills to real-world problems. This drive made her decision to pursue her PhD at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
“I wanted to see how my work can impact people’s lives. While I was deeply involved in mathematics, I felt a growing urge to transition into the intersection between math and engineering and contribute meaningfully to the broader community. Machine learning, in particular, was moving in such a very exciting direction,” Jiajin explained.
Initially drawn to CUHK by its strong reputation in computer science, Jiajin applied to the programme but soon realised that her true passion lay in establishing new theoretical results and applying theoretical insights to practical problems. Recognising this, she made the pivotal decision to switch to the PhD programme in Systems Engineering and Engineering Management.
A Limitless Education
CUHK’s flexibility in allowing such a transition was crucial for Jiajin. “If it weren’t for this flexibility, I think I would have left academia,” she confessed. “There are no clear boundaries at CUHK, which is particularly beneficial for fields like machine learning and AI development.”
But what truly solidified her decision was connecting with her supervisor, Professor Anthony So, who is currently the Dean of CUHK Graduate School. “When I reached out to Professor So, he responded within two hours and we scheduled a meeting for the very next day. His engagement and research vision made me realise that CUHK was the right place for me,” she recalled.
Reflecting on her early days at CUHK, Jiajin emphasised that the interdisciplinary nature of the University’s programme was another significant draw. CUHK’s high ranking in interdisciplinary research allowed her to explore diverse subjects, from statistics to operation research, and computer science. “The interdisciplinary nature of the programme was crucial,” she said. “I’m not just curious about optimisation; I also want to know more about related subjects such as statistics, probability and information theory.
Preparing for the Real World
And this interdisciplinary approach is not just about academics but mirrors the real-world environment, where disciplines increasingly overlap. Explaining her research, Jiajin classifies herself as an optimiser, explaining that optimisation theory can be applied across science, engineering and business. Her research, which often intersects with machine learning and data science, aims to develop optimisation methods that can bring tangible benefits to the real world.
With such a multi-disciplined research focus, she says CUHK truly provided the best platform and support. Not only was the University equipped with the faculty and knowledge to support her work, but it also provided her with the flexibility to stretch her wings.
“The interdisciplinary team offered so many options, opening up countless possibilities for what you want to pursue,” she said. Jiajin also praised the high quality of teaching at CUHK, which nurtured her vision and encouraged her to explore how different disciplines could converge.
With frequent visits from overseas professors, she felt that the University made all the right efforts to give students and supervisors a holistic environment to explore. She believes this global atmosphere significantly contributed to her career success and helped her adapt to new environments during her postdoctoral research at Stanford University. Now, Jiajin is preparing for her new role as an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia.
Easy Access and Endless Support
Looking back, Jiajin is deeply grateful for the supportive community at CUHK both among her peers and professors. “The faculty members were incredibly accessible and invested in my success,” she said. “I could always reach out to my advisor or other professors for guidance, and they were genuinely excited to collaborate with me on my research,” she said.
CUHK was the perfect fit for Jiajin, not just academically but also personally. Being close to her hometown in Hunan Province, China, while enjoying the vibrant city life and cultural diversity of Hong Kong, made her university experience even more fulfilling.
As Jiajin looks ahead to her future in academia, she carries with her the lessons and experiences from CUHK, ready to continue bridging the gap between optimisation theory and real-world impact.
