On April 9, a few days later from on, 80 representatives of IEEE Student Chapters from nearly 40 universities will attend in SUSTech IEEE China Student Congress (CSC), which is often held in Beijing or Shanghai. And it is Zhang Yue, the incumbent Chairman of IEEE SUSTech Chapter and a 2016 graduate of SUSTech, who spearheads the activity.

How does Zhang Yue achieve so many things, e.g., majoring in telecom engineering and gaining excellent results, active in various student organizations, contacting external organizations to hold activities, refusing special offer of HUAWEI, applying for program of SUSTech & Hong Kong University joint cultivation of postgraduates, and living an enriched 4-year campus life in SUSTech? 

A set of postcards attracts IEEE CSC

“I love doing multiple-win things and hope to bring opportunities and new platform for SUSTech and other students while having my own opportunities”, Zhang Yue does what he says, who has active thinking, long-term vision and all-aspect considerations.

Thanks to his wonderful technical ability, communications and leadership, Zhang Yue received recognition from HUAWEI Fixed Network Products Department in the internship period, which gave him a special offer. He gave it up after making careful consideration. But Zhang Yue has established deep friendship with his former colleagues in HUAWEI. “At a workshop for interns, I was the only one out of the more than 30 participating interns who prepared PPT for self-introduction. And I advertised SUSTech before the self-introduction. After that, many colleagues in HUAWEI asked me about SUSTech and showed great interest in it. Some of them even asked me about enrollment for the young people of their relatives. I thought, why not contacting my teachers in SUSTech to see if it is possible for HUAWEI to promote its internship so that other students can know HUAWEI better?”. Because of his excellent performance and original idea, HUAWEI and SUSTech reached agreement on the promotion, which happened later and welcomed by SUSTech faculty and students. “I think I should become a small window leading to SUSTech and help people know it. I also hope I can reward my university by doing something for SUSTech.”

When talking about the upcoming IEEE CSC, Zhang Yue smiled happily, “I am a little bit proud of it”. As a matter of fact, the event is made possible simply because of a kind move of Zhang Yue. When attending CSC in Shanghai, Zhang Yue gave all participants a set of SUSTech postcards, which surprised everybody and aroused their interest in the new university. Ms. Kristen MacCartney, Project Manager of IEEE Partners Program, sent a letter of gratitude, moving Zhang Yue so much. But bigger surprises followed. In October 2015, IEEE Chairman Mr. Howard Michel and his people visited Shenzhen, contacted Zhang Yue and visited SUSTech. During the visit, Zhang Yue boldly proposed SUSTech organizing IEEE CSC in Shenzhen. In February 2016, IEEE gave reply and decided to convene the event in SUSTech on April 9.

When asked why he has these ideas, Zhang Yue said when he was involved in student-related work in SUSTech, his teachers were willing to share their experience and ideas. Gradually, he has learned to think from different perspectives. When thinking of himself, he also considers interest of his university for the purpose of multiple-win.

“By giving people postcards, I simply wanted them to understand better SUSTech. I didn’t think the trivial thing would have facilitated the event in SUSTech. I feel lucky that I can become a biz card of SUSTech.”

Tutor guides way forward in the wonderful academy life

When talking about the diverse campus activities, we always have to mention Zhang Yue, who changes his roles freely among the Chairman of Shu Ren Academy Student Union, Youth League Member, Monitor, Student Assistant to Instructor and Chairman of IEEE SUSTech Chapter. He has used the wonderful platform provided by SUSTech to the largest extent. In the open and diverse campus atmosphere, he shows his exceptional abilities. “University is a place where the cost of making mistakes is low. Even if you fail to do perfectly, you can start afresh and do it better.”

Zhang Yue has learned a lot from organizing activities of all kinds. And he is most touched by the academy system and tutor system in SUSTech. When facilitating and preparing for IEEE CSC meeting to be held on April 9, Zhang Yue shows exceptional abilities because of his experience in student-related work in the academy. “ I have learned a lot from the 3-year experience in student-related work in the academy, Youth League and postgraduate school, as well as in part-time job. It also has accumulated enough contacts for me, giving me the confidence to organize the meeting.” Zhang Yue believes he is most moved by the academy tutor who gives him  considerate support and help in the 4-year campus life. For example, in Year 2 in SUSTech, academic performance of Zhang fell down because he spent a lot of efforts on activities. His tutor Prof. Zhu Baoting proposed he concentrate more on his study, who also proposed he continue to study in SUSTech for doctoral degree. And the tutor has never hesitated to offer the helping hands to solve his problems in life and study. And the young man feels so warm in his heart.

Compared with students obsessed by research and study whose life route only includes 3 points, namely, library, dormitory and lab, Zhang Yue prefers the vigorous life. He feels there are many ways to live the campus life. Once he was puzzled by what major to select and how to spend the 4-year campus life. But the 2+2 education model in SUSTech gives him enough time for buffering and growth. In this process, he gradually realizes what kind of life he is suitable for. “I just need to set a bottom-line and some basic targets. And I can do whatever I want above the bottom-line. I also envy those students who concentrate on studies. But I am not that kind of people. I wish to thank SUSTech for its cultivation model that gives me many opportunities for trail and error. Each person has his/her own characteristics and they can find the suitable path only in practice. At the same time, I hope younger students can realize studying overseas is not the most cost-effective way. If I have the opportunity, I wish to get the doctoral degree in SUSTech.”

Abundant fellowship supports and town fellows warm his heart

When first enrolled in SUSTech, Zhang Yue felt upset because something happened to his family after the college-entrance exam. 3 days after he finished application for university, the father of Zhang Yue fainted. “I was guilty because I applied for a university distant from home. How could I leave my sick father at home?”. But after coming to SUSTech, Zhang Yue received the help and warmth from the university. In Year 1 and Year 2, he obtained the considerable fellowship granted by SUSTech, which helped support his family. In that period, his friends also gave him selfless help. “The university did give me a lot of help and opportunities and this alleviated my burden”. “Many changes have happened to the university in recent years. The scholarship is offered for short-term exchanges in other countries. And I also received the scholarship. In February 2016, with the help of my research tutor Prof. Gong Yi, I received the invitation letter from a university in Singapore and stayed there for more than 1 month. The support from SUSTech covered all my expenses. That was the first time for me to visit overseas, without spending one penny of my family. I wish to thank SUSTech for giving me the opportunity.”

Probably his hometown is far from the university, Zhang Yue, who comes from Shandong Province, has special emotions towards teachers in Admission Team and his town fellows. He said, the Admission Team teachers show most considerate care for the students. In a gathering after the mid-term exam in Year 1, the teacher got out of their academic transcripts from his pocket, on which he wrote comments and moved everybody. Zhang Yue also received help from the teachers in his academic performance. Feeling the warmth from the town fellows, when the new term started in Year 2, he voluntarily purchased train tickets for sophomores. In the 27-hour journey on the train, he introduced to the younger students about SUSTech. “Through these exchanges, at least they know SUSTech has a group of town fellows to whom they can resort for help. And this is important for these young people who first leave their homes and get into a fresh environment. And I am willing to play this part. ”

“The town fellows care for and support each other in life and study. I feel the warmth of family in SUSTech”, said Zhang Yue when recalling the campus life and moments of staying with his town fellows.

Talking about future plan, Zhang Yue smiled and said unexpected turns might happen at any time in the life. So it is not necessary to define a detailed plan. But one has to control his life route. “If SUSTech continues to expand, probably one day I will go back to SUSTech as a teacher.”