Walking into the historic halls of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Physics Building at UC Berkeley, where the legendary physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer once worked, Hailey Cheng Hei-lam, a second-year student in the Global Research Enrichment and Technopreneurship (GREAT) programme offered by the College of Science at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), feels as if she is travelling through time.

Across the globe, Isaac Ho King-yin, a fourth-year GREAT student, 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, Hailey and Isaac have both embarked on their academic and research journeys at two of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Hailey’s love of mathematics and programming shines through her roles as the Google Developer Student Club Lead and a computer engineer on CityUHK’s underwater robotics team. In California’s bustling start-up ecosystem, she thrives by participating in hackathons, where she develops innovative solutions and forges friendships with peers from a number of countries, including the United States (US), Mexico, Dubai, Italy and India. “UC Berkeley is one of the most diverse universities in the US,” says Hailey. “The teaching quality and students there were amazing. I engaged in daily discussions with students to solve linear algebra proof-based questions in class.”

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

Hailey’s first year at CityUHK provided a solid foundation with courses in mathematics, statistics, programming, data science, biology and neuroscience. These diverse subjects sparked her research ambitions, leading her to major in mathematics and to become interested in pursuing a career in computational biology. Her mentor is Professor Lo Wing-cheong of the Department of Mathematics. She hopes to accumulate more research experience and expand her academic network in the new academic year, aiming to become a researcher in mathematics or computational biology, providing innovative solutions in healthcare, particularly addressing the common issue of eczema treatment in Hong Kong.

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.

Both Hailey and Isaac embody the spirit of the GREAT programme, melding academic excellence with real-world applications and setting their sights on becoming trailblazers in their respective fields.

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.