To further advance high-level international talent cultivation and broaden doctoral students’ academic horizons, the College of Chemical Engineering at Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) successfully organized a short-term academic exchange program in Singapore under the “BoYan Program” from October 25 to 28, 2023. Led by Vice Dean Ms. Li and Prof. Yunpan Ying, a delegation of 45 outstanding PhD students visited world-renowned institutions—National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU)—and carried out a series of rich and highly effective academic exchanges and cultural visits. Closely aligned with national strategic talent needs and students’ academic and professional development, this program represents an important practice in advancing the internationalization of graduate education at the School.
In-Depth Visit to NTU: Focusing on Frontiers of Chemical Engineering
On October 26, the delegation arrived at Nanyang Technological University for the first stop of the program. The students toured the beautiful campus—often praised as a “garden university”—and experienced its strong academic atmosphere and advanced research facilities. The academic sessions that followed were equally engaging. Professor Shuzhou Li of NTU delivered a frontier lecture titled Applications of Computational Chemistry in the Development of Functional Materials, vividly illustrating how computational simulation has become a new driving force for innovation through its deep integration with modern chemical engineering research.
Subsequently, Dr. Zhang and Dr. Wu from NTU presented their latest research on Applications of Functional Carbon Materials in Brine Desalination and Disinfection and Electrocatalysis for a Green Nitrogen Cycle, respectively. Addressing cutting-edge issues at the forefront of chemical engineering—namely global energy and environmental challenges—these talks sparked strong interest and lively discussions among the delegation.
That afternoon marked a highlight of the visit: a dedicated academic poster session. All 45 PhD students from BUCT carefully prepared posters showcasing their research achievements and engaged in in-depth, face-to-face discussions with NTU faculty and students. The vibrant atmosphere and intellectual exchange generated many new research ideas, fully demonstrating the solid research foundations and strong international communication skills of BUCT’s doctoral students.
Visiting NUS: Charting a New Chapter in International Collaboration
On October 28, the delegation arrived at the final stop of the trip—the National University of Singapore. Professor Saif A. Khan, Head of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NUS, warmly received the delegation and delivered a welcome address, expressing sincere greetings to the faculty and students from BUCT.
Professor Yunpan Ying of BUCT then introduced the university’s history, disciplinary strengths, and research capabilities to the NUS audience, further enhancing mutual understanding. During the program briefing session, Dr. Lei Wang presented the “3+1+1” joint training program between NUS and BUCT, outlining clear pathways for students interested in pursuing further studies.
In the student research presentation session, eight PhD student representatives from both universities—Feng Shaojun, Wang Xuning, Xu Lang, Wang Junhao, and Lin Xu from BUCT, as well as Yidan Duan and Calvin Khoo Wei En from NUS—shared the latest research progress in their respective fields. The presentations were forward-looking and the discussions in-depth, vividly showcasing the innovative vitality of young researchers.
The program reached its climax at the evening networking dinner, where a new round of poster displays and free discussions continued in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Students from both sides engaged in discussions on research and culture, forged deep friendships, and sowed the seeds for future scientific collaboration.
The “BoYan Program” Singapore short-term academic exchange of the College of Chemical Engineering, BUCT, concluded successfully. With a compact schedule and rich content, the program combined academic depth with humanistic warmth. Participants noted that the exchange not only exposed them to cutting-edge global research and enhanced their international academic communication skills, but also broadened their perspectives through cross-cultural experiences, helping them clarify their mission and responsibilities as researchers in the new era. This successful visit has effectively advanced substantive cooperation between BUCT and world-class universities, marking a significant step forward in cultivating high-level innovative talents with global competitiveness.