Sharing from Graduates
Mr. ZHU
Class of 2025, Master of Science in Smart City Technology and Applications
Scholarship Recipient
Career Destination: Preparing for public service examinations
Unforgettable Experience
During his master's studies, the most unforgettable experience for Mr. ZHU was taking the CDS553 Smart City Project course. The smart city project completed by his team successfully qualified for exhibition at the 2026 Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). Over the four-day event, the team not only showcased their innovative achievements to industry professionals, but also engaged in deep exchanges with experts from diverse fields, gaining valuable insights into the latest development trends of smart city technologies.
This practical experience gave him a profound understanding of real-world smart city applications, serving as one of the most cherished memories of his postgraduate journey.
Person Most Grateful To
Mr. ZHU is most grateful to Prof. DONG Chengzu.
As the academic supervisor for the Smart City Project, Prof. DONG provided detailed, patient guidance and support throughout the entire process—from topic conceptualization and scheme design to final presentation. Under the professor's encouragement and expert guidance, the team successfully secured a place at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). Beyond imparting domain knowledge, Prof. DONG taught his students how to transform innovative ideas into feasible, concrete outcomes.
Graduation Reflection
"The year spent pursuing the Master of Science in Smart City Technology and Applications at Lingnan University has been the period of my fastest personal and professional growth. The curriculum closely aligns with industry frontiers, covering everything from data science to urban governance, allowing me to see the infinite possibilities of technology shaping cities and daily life. The practical platforms provided by the university—especially the experience of exhibiting at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair—helped me deeply appreciate the value of integrating industry, academia, and research.
I am truly grateful for the dedicated guidance of every professor, the companionship and support of my classmates, and the open, inclusive academic environment at Lingnan University. This journey has not only enhanced my professional expertise, but also filled me with confidence for the future."
Ms. YUAN
Class of 2025, Master of Science in Smart City Technology and Applications
Scholarship Recipient
Career Destination: Interning at an electric power consulting firm in Shenzhen while preparing for autumn campus recruitment
Honors & Achievements
During her postgraduate studies, Ms. YUAN led research on the topic "Smart Campus Intelligent Service Platform (PWA Application)." She took charge of student demand surveys, project feasibility analysis, and implementation planning, exploring the use of digital technologies to improve campus mobility efficiency and optimize space allocation. Her research findings were selected for presentation at the Graduate Conference 2026. Additionally, she published a research paper titled "Compilation Paradigm of County Overall Urban Design Driven by Cultural Context Genes" in the journal "Development of Small Cities & Towns", demonstrating her academic exploration in smart cities and urban-rural planning.
Unforgettable Experience
Ms. YUAN regards delivering a full English academic presentation at the Graduate Conference 2026 as her most representative experience. The project idea originated from her everyday observations on campus: noticing the challenges students faced in locating study rooms, printing services, and optimal travel routes, she aimed to address these real student needs through a smart campus service platform. In her research, she translated complex DBSCAN clustering algorithms and GIS network analysis into intuitive campus scenarios, enhancing both the clarity and practicality of her findings.
Preparing for the English presentation was equally challenging. From drafting and revising the speech script to recording videos to correct pronunciation and delivery, step by step, she stepped out of her comfort zone. Successfully completing the presentation made her realize that true personal growth often comes from courageously confronting challenges.
Person Most Grateful To
Ms.YUAN is most grateful to her instructor for the Operational Research course.
Lacking a background in mathematics and optimization modeling, she initially found topics like linear programming and the simplex method quite demanding. However, the instructor consistently provided patient guidance, encouraging her to ask questions and think critically, which built her confidence in applying mathematical models to solve real-world problems. This encouragement not only helped her achieve strong academic performance, but also gave her the courage to tackle technical challenges, laying a solid foundation for her subsequent involvement in smart city projects and algorithm research.
Graduation Reflection
“My year as a master's student in Hong Kong passed in the blink of an eye. From feeling overwhelmed by full-English lectures and an intensive workload when I first arrived, to later coordinating teamwork, independently conducting academic research, and delivering public presentations, I have grown far beyond my expectations. At Lingnan University, I not only strengthened my technical skills—learning data visualization tools like Tableau and geospatial analysis platforms like Kepler—but also learned to take on responsibility within a team and stay composed under pressure. The academic exchange and practical platforms provided by the university allowed me to accomplish challenges I once never dared to imagine. Today, I step into the next stage of my career and life with greater maturity. My heartfelt thanks go to Lingnan University, my professors, and my peers for their support along the way.”
