Last time, we shared our interview with McMasters University Professor Jamal Deen on his thoughts of SUSTech during his academic leave here. Since Deen has a deep relationship with China which dates back to 1991, our conversation continued with his opinions on Shenzhen and China.
June 22, 2016; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Jamal Deen – Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University. Photo by Ron Scheffler for McMaster University.
Q: According to your curriculum vitae, your first trip to China was in the early 1990s, and you have visited China frequently since 2007. Through your extensive travels in China, have you observed anything special about the Chinese academia, economy, society or regional dynamics?
A: I have seen tremendous strides in this society since 1991 when I first visited China. In my own area, academia, there has been phenomenal progress in quantifiable, high-quality research and technology development at the major universities. These universities are now competitive with the best in the world. The economy has experienced unmatched growth and infrastructure has developed at an astonishing pace. The Chinese government and its people should be congratulated for such remarkable progress in almost all aspects of its society.
Q: As a newcomer to Shenzhen, what impressions do you have on the city so far?
A: Shenzhen is a relatively young city that is growing very rapidly in high technology. I believe SUSTech has inherited some of the city’s spirits – such as rapid speed of development and being dynamic. For instance, the massive expansion of high-quality metro service over the past few years is beyond my expectation. It is encouraging to see the increasing international-oriented nature of Shenzhen. I can see experts from different countries working and living in different parts of the city — not just Shekou, the traditional “foreigner enclave.” However, I have not been able to explore much of Shenzhen due to time limitations. I hope I can explore more parts of the city in the future.
Q: Since you have traveled extensively in China, which place has a special place in your heart?
A: I would say Hangzhou since I had over 10 guest lectures at Zhejiang University and local enterprises in the past decade. I accepted my first honorific appointment in China at Zhejiang University, and I have strong research collaborators there. Through numerous visits to this lake city, I really learned about the beauty, history, and culture of the unique Hangzhou.
Professor Jamal Deen was known for his easygoing and caring personality, so the next part of the interview revolves around his rich and diverse life experience that has shaped his characters. Originally from South America, he pursued his studies and established a successful career in North America. In the following conversation, you can clearly feel his sense of belonging in his new home Canada and a strong attachment to his country of origin. With his hardworking spirit and resilience, Professor Deem has led a successful life in many countries across the globe.
Q: Would you like to share your immigrant experience and your view on Canada’s multiculturalism?
A: Absolutely. Contrary to some popular opinion on the hardships of immigration and diaspora, I did not struggle to fit in Canada. In fact, Canada has been an amazing home for my family and me. We were welcomed into the academic and social community and had developed strong bonds and ties with many colleagues and neighbors. The Canadian government is doing a great job in assisting people from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds to effectively settle in Canada. Further, the Canadian federal and provincial governments encourage its immigrants to retain their culture. My transition from a Professor in the USA to a Professor with Canadian citizenship was smooth. Governments at all levels have been carrying out favorable policies for international scholars in terms of career advancement and immigration.
The cold winter climate in Canada is not so challenging for me, whether it was in Vancouver, or now in Hamilton. Canada offers rich and rewarding lifestyles with exceptional natural beauty and kind and caring people. I have had living experiences in many other countries such as the USA, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and South Korea. Of all these places, my preference remains to live in Canada.
Q: As a world-class higher institution in Canada, McMaster University’s popularity is limited in China. Can you introduce it to the Chinese readers based on your own experience and academic background?
A: Sure. I think there may be two reasons why McMaster’s popularity may be limited in China. First, it is a research-intensive higher institution, which can be a little different from regular comprehensive universities in Canada. Second, the total number of students at McMaster is roughly a half to one-third that of other big universities in Canada, so McMaster would have a smaller presence in China. However, the quality of Chinese students we attract are among the best and from the top universities here.
Having said that, McMaster definitely has its unique advantages over the bigger universities in Canada. It is one of only four Canadian Universities that consistently rank in the world’s top 100 and home to about 70 academicians of the Royal Society of Canada (Canada’s top honor for scholars and academics), which is very impressive considering the size of our university. McMaster has fostered some Nobel Laureates, including Bertram Brockhouse and James Orbinski. They were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics and the Nobel Peace Prize respectively. Orbinski was the President of Doctor without Borders, which is known for its humanitarian missions such as assistance in the Rwanda genocide. Because of his extensive fieldwork, selfless contribution and strong leadership, he received the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the organization. Apart from its world-class faculty and their research, the University is immersed in the rich culture of Hamilton, which is a beautiful and peaceful lakeside city with a long history and outstanding architecture and environment.
Q: As a key figure in South American/Caribbean academia, do you have anything to say about the South American/Caribbean community?
A: My country of origin was British Guiana (now Guyana), which is in South America and part of the Caribbean region. In my culture, great value is placed on education, regardless of wealth or social standing in the society. We strongly believe that our knowledge is power, which can transform our lives for the better. So basically, everyone chooses to receive a good education if they want to realize their dreams and make substantial achievements in the future. Guyana, a former British colony, is an English-speaking country (our local language is Creole) with an excellent education system that prepares you for education in major English-speaking countries, which is definitely a plus. We work hard, are dedicated to our tasks, persevere and are passionate about our education. In addition, we are very humble and respectful. Taken together, these ingredients are critical for a successful and rewarding career. We also use our real-life experiences and academic preparedness as effective tools to creatively deal with challenges in our lives. My special message would be to maintain these strong positive characteristics and strive to strengthen them for improved and more rewarding lives.
Q: Last but not least, can you tell us the most unforgettable story in your academic career?
A: I don’t really have any unforgettable story in my career worth recounting. But, here is a very memorable anecdote: I have always wanted to be a professor since I was a young (interviewer’s note: a coincidence with SUSTech President Chen Shiyi). I am lucky enough to realize my dream job. My peers have honored me for my work multiple times. I have exceptional colleagues and collaborators, and a caring, loving and supportive family. Taken together, this has led to a most rewarding and fulfilling career for me. I guess if I was doing another job, I might not be as happy as I am now. So if you have a dream, go for it. Work hard, stay focused, and persevere, and then your dream will have a good chance of coming true.
When the 30-minute interview came to an end, Professor Deen thanked and praised the interviewer, and asked him to wait for a minute. Deen then brought in Professor Cheng Qingsha, the contact person responsible for his academic leave at SUSTech. He spoke highly of Cheng’s work ethics and helpfulness, and strongly recommended a follow-up meeting with him on SUSTech’s EEE Department – which will be published soon.
