Chinese students reflect on life at Imperial as President Xi visits

Student Xi Liu is playing a key role in an EU-wide project which aims to harness vegetation in urban spaces to improve our cities.

Professor Alice Gast used President Xi Jinping's visit to Imperial to highlight the exceptional success of the College's Chinese students.

In a speech during the visit, she said: “The challenges facing our world require a new generation of leaders. At Imperial, we educate many intelligent and innovative Chinese students in a vibrant, research-led, entrepreneurial environment.

“When I meet Chinese students at Imperial, I am filled with optimism about the future.”

Chinese students at the College – like their peers from all over the world – are developing a reputation for their entrepreneurial ideas and focus on tackling global issues.

A lively crowd of Imperial's Chinese students gathered for President Xi Jinping's visit

One such student is Xi Liu, a PhD student in Environmental Engineering from Hunan, who is playing a key role in Blue Green Dream – an Imperial-led EU-wide project which aims to harness vegetation in urban spaces to make our cities cooler, healthier and more habitable.

She led the construction of a multi-functional green roof garden on a College building and presented the approach to the House of Lords and House of Commons - explaining how it could be used as a flood control measure in times of heavy rain.

Xi Liu said: “I have been blessed with great opportunities, experiences and sources of inspiration at Imperial. I truly enjoy meeting and working with the diverse range of talented people here.”

“In the future, I hope to create inspiring spaces for people to live and work – in particular, through creating sustainable water and energy building services.”

Making a difference

Yan Xu, an MSc Strategic Marketing student from Guangzhou, recently led an international Imperial team to win the McKinsey Venture Academy Award and £10,000 of seed funding for her innovation in coffee production business modelling. Her idea to make coffee production less wasteful, soon to be piloted in Ethiopia, aims to improve the economic situation of coffee producers.

Their innovative ideas are making a real difference. Biyuan Wang, a bioengineering undergraduate from South West China, was part of an international and multidisciplinary team of 10 students who have designed a robotic assisted wheelchair for paralysed athletes competing in the Cybathalon 2016 in Zurich.  

Biyuan Wang said: “London is really an amazing city. It is such an international place and the perfect combination of modern culture and history.

“At Imperial, I have the opportunity to be involved with a vast range of engineering projects - from computer based work to design, mechanical and electrical engineering. It has really helped me to understand where my interests lie and help me plan my future career.”

Beyond lectures and labs

Chinese students at Imperial are not just excelling academically. They also play an active role in College life – mixing with people from all countries – and taking advantage of Imperial College Union’s vast number of Clubs and Societies.

Chun-Yin, Deputy President (Education)

Chun-Yin San, Imperial College Union Deputy President (Education), is from Hong Kong. He oversees a network of student representatives across departments, works with the College to develop facilities and resources for students, and helps to provide opportunities for students to equip them with new skills and interests that can carry them beyond their studies.

Chun-Yin said: “Imperial is a specialist university but at the same time invests in supporting students to go in the direction they want. The College is a gathering place for students and staff who are keen to change the world for the better through the application of science and technology. It makes for an intelligent, vibrant and super-inspirational community to be part of.”

Xia Chen, a Business School student from Shandong, is a social representative on the MSc Management programme, organising events for her fellow students including their most recent Summer Ball. Xia is also an active Presidents’ Ambassador, leading campus tours for visitors and assisting with the university open days. She was recently awarded the Imperial Plus Accreditation award for volunteering 100 hours under one academic year.

Xia said: “From these opportunities I have been able to meet different enthusiastic students from all backgrounds. Imperial values our entrepreneurship and makes an effort to create excellent platform and assistance to help us mould our ideas.”