CHAI XING ZHE (Malaysia)

SSE Class of 2025

Electronic Information Engineering

Electronic Engineering Stream

Offers:

Tsinghua University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Final Choice）

University of Malaya

Q1：Please summarize your university life in one sentence or a few keywords.

Fun, challenging, friendship

Though university life was occasionally challenging, it was ultimately a rewarding experience filled with great friendships.

Q2：What role did the School of Science and Engineering play in your university life?

The School of Science and Engineering (SSE) was pivotal in providing robust academic support and genuine care. Professors always patiently answered my questions after class or during office hours, while academic advisors were always helpful, offering invaluable career guidance that kept me on track during my graduate program applications.

Beyond academics, SSE truly cared about students' well-being and fostered a supportive community. Regular events connected professors and peers, creating spaces to share ideas, build friendships, and seek assistance.

The academic support equipped me with a strong knowledge base and skills for future careers, while genuine care gave me confidence and courage to overcome challenges.

Q3：What was the most memorable course or project during your four years at university, and why?

"Principles and Practice of Communication Networks" transformed my math-averse mindset into confidently tackling complex formulas. Thanks to an all-star cast of supportive characters around me, I couldn’t have made it without their help.

Initially, proofs felt like deciphering alien code, but our professor—a patient storyteller—simplified concepts brilliantly, ensuring we never felt lost. The real MVP, though, was the Teaching Assistant (TA), a superhero who went above and beyond—answering questions during tutorials and office hours, even sacrificing research time to guide me step-by-step, making sure I was on the right path.

My friend Raymond, my assignment partner, embodied the Chinese saying, "Three cobblers outsmart Zhuge Liang (三个臭皮匠顶个诸葛亮)." Together, we tackled problems like detectives, turning late-night study sessions into brainstorming fiestas. Without this dream team’s support, I’d have been as lost as a penguin in a desert. They made this course unforgettable.

Showcasing Malaysian Culture on International  Day

The first solo adventure in Zhejiang province

Q4：What was your biggest change or gain during university?

I learned to embrace failure as a life coach, not a catastrophe. In high school, I avoided setbacks, but university taught me to embrace them as redirections. Failing a tough exam or bombing a project wasn’t the apocalypse I once feared—it was more like life winking at me, saying, “Wrong turn, buddy, let’s try another route!”

Take my internship, for example—my work results were about as impressive as a soggy firecracker. Instead of sulking, I switched into problem-solving mode. Like a detective, I carefully debugged my code line by line, asking, “Where did I go wrong? How can I adjust?”

I recalibrated my approach and kept moving forward. This shift—from fearing missteps to analyzing them—became my strength. Failure isn’t an endpoint; it’s a heartwarming chance to grow, recalibrate, and advance with resilience.

Q5：What are your expectations for the future?

I will further my studies in electronics, aiming to become an experienced engineer. By mastering both theory and practice, I will seek professional fulfillment and personal growth—a challenging but deeply rewarding path.

Q6：Any advice for current students or incoming freshmen?

Explore boldly: dive into research, internships, and new friendships to create a hilarious, heartfelt university adventure.

Embrace the chaos—late-night debates, enlightening failures, spontaneous adventures. Say "yes" to opportunities, stay open, and trust yourself! 

Climbing Jade Dragon Snow mountain with  Malaysian cohort

Celebrating Christmas with friends after finals

Q7：This year marks the 10th anniversary of the School of Science and Engineering. Please share your wishes for the school.

Happy 10th Anniversary to SSE! Wishing continued growth, groundbreaking research, and success in nurturing talent to advance technology.

Produced by CPR of SSE