After eight years of development, The ChineseUniversity of Hong Kong, Shenzhen now has 32 master's and doctoral programs. Thisyear's graduates came from one Ph.D. program and 17 M.Sc. programs. The University has always adhered to thephilosophy of "To combine tradition with modernity. To bring togetherChina and the West” and is committed to nurturing high-end talents with globalperspectives, Chinese tradition and social responsibility.

At the 7th graduation ceremony, Xudong Wang, M.Sc. in Data Science, was interviewed by the student journalist.

M.SC. IN DATA SCIENCE PROGRAMME

Xudong Wang was interviewed on the graduation ceremony

Xudong Wang

• Postgraduate student from M.Sc. in Data Science Programme, 2020 Cohort 

• Undergraduate of Shandong University

• Major in Statistics

• Minor in Finance 

• Admitted by the Ph.D. Programme in Computer Science, School of Data Science, CUHK-Shenzhen

1) You are a graduate today but you're also a freshman in our Ph.D. Program in Data Science. Meanwhile, you serve as our Teaching Assistant and Tutor. Playing so many roles must lead to a very tight schedule. Could you please share your daily routine with us?

I lead a full life because there are many things to do, but people only have limited energy, and I try to optimized my schedule to make what I do live up to expectations. However, it is inevitable that when overwhelmed with heavy academic tasks and university affairs, we will get some negative feedback, namely, failing to achieve the expected results while dealing with multiple tasks. If we can not change our mindset and respond immediately, it is easy to suffer from mental internal friction. At this time, teachers in the university, especially in the M.Sc. in Data Science Program, have helped me a lot. For instance, when facing heavy tasks and difficulties in our studies, our teachers in SDS will patiently and carefully instruct us and offer tons of help. Also, family members and intimate classmates will give some psychological support. I think this is the important reason why I can handle so many things with results in the last two years.

2) Inthe face of difficulties and challenges, how do you respond to them? Do youhave any suggestions or messages for your fellow underclassman?

In my case, I have been researching AI and machine learning since my postgraduate years. This field is burgeoning extremely fast. When doing researches, we will think of answers to solve problems, but experiments prove that they fail with high probability. That sort of negative feedback might affect your psychological state. So you need to adjust your mood. There are many ways to do so. Besides communicating with friends and teachers, you can also do some sports.

The biggest help is from the teachers of my project team, especially Professor Chris Ding who is my supervisor in M.S./Ph.D. He often says that research is not made overnight; instead, it may take a lifetime to truly experience and understand something seemingly simple, so we should put our heads down and accept the feedback, whether positive or negative. Negative feedback is sometimes more valuable because you can make timely adjustments and correct your mistakes and directions after calmly analyzing the sources of negative feedback.

3) Youhave known this university inside out after two years and will continue to stayhere to study. I'm curious to know how you get involved with CUHK-Shenzhen.

First, I applied for the M.S. program at the end of 2019 when the international situation was not fairly stable, and the pandemic began to spread globally in the first half of 2020. I attended the presentation of the M.S. program of CUHK-Shenzhen at my undergraduate college; what's more, at the end of 2019, I was particularly touched by President Xu's speech -  "No matter how tumultuous it is outside, there is always a quiet desk in CUHK-Shenzhen." I then was impressed by its humanity and the motto of through learning and temperance to virtue. That's an important drive for me to decide to study for the M.S. program and continue my Ph.D. program at CUHK-Shenzhen.

4) Wheredo you think is the most fun and most visited place for you in CUHK-Shenzhen?

I mostly visit the stadium, which boasts tons of fitness resources, particularly the standard swimming pool. When I'm in a black mood caused by negative feedback, sports can help produce dopamine and calm me down faster. Once getting calm, I can find roots for negative feedback more evenly and correct them, so I will go to the gym whenever my schedules allow.