Student Interview | Guochao Xie, SDS 2017 Cohort
Student Profile
• Major: B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering, CUHK-Shenzhen; M.Sc. in Computer Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (Now)
• Research Direction: Computer Software System, involving operating system, cloud computing, virtualization, compiler
• Prizes and Honor: Meritorious Winner of the Mathematical Contest in Modeling for American College Students; An approved patent; Paper publication on MEMSYS conference; Ranked in the top 5% of the school; Won the first-class honor
• Internship: Shenzhen Institute of Big Data; Teaching Assistant in many courses such as Database, Computer Experiment, Data Structure and Algorithm, Computer Programming, Computer Architecture
Q & A:
Q: Can you briefly describe your learning experience at the School of Data Science?
My undergraduate years at SDS is an experience that would serve me well all my life. Professors are extremely friendly, and courses also articulate with international cutting-edge scientific advancements. In addition to lectures, professors are ready to share their research progress, encourage undergraduate students to get involved in advanced research, and provide us with plenty of opportunities for experiment.
Q: Students are busy enough with their studies, and so it can be challenging to coordinate their studies and other aspects of life. How do you adapt and strike a balance?
I think the key is to plan ahead, including long-term plans and short-term plans. Long-term plans can tell me where I should head forward, and drive me to roll up my sleeves in every task required, such as language tests and exchange programs. Especially under the pressure of the pandemic, it grants me greater sense of security to complete the work necessary for the long-term plan as soon as possible (such as passing language exams in advance). Short-term plans are weekly or daily plans. Making a flexible short-term plan spares me a certain time to deal with daily trifles.
SDS also supports our studies. There are lectures for scientific research and higher education that instruct us to formulate and adjust our long-term plans.
Q: What do you think will benefit you the most from CUHK-Shenzhen/SDS?
I think CUHK-Shenzhen has offered me many opportunities so that I can join the summer courses at the University of California, Berkeley, and get involved in many internships and research in the Shenzhen Institute of Big Data and lab. I keep trying to find the future direction that interests me. I also become more audacious to try new things and embrace challenges.
Q: What habits do you think are worth developing and helpful for self-cultivation during your study at CHUK-Shenzhen/ SDS?
Asking questions is the most helpful habit I have developed at CUHK-Shenzhen. Teachers here encourage us to raise questions. For example, the core courses teach us to bravely give our own opinions and review philosophy and history in critical thinking. This habit is very beneficial to my future graduate study and internship.
Q: Was there anyone or anything that impressed you deeply in college?
Professor Yeh-Ching Chung impressed me the most. Beyond instructions in scientific research, he also cares about my life and future, and he encourages me when I hit a plateau. He is a very amiable professor.
Q: Do you have any hands-on practice in the four-year undergraduate program? Any experience and take-away about clubs or internships?
I worked for two start-up teams, namely, Polaris Studio and Apartsa, which are owned by CIDE. These two entrepreneurial experiences afford me a lot of opportunities to have social practice outside the campus. I'm therefore aware of the law of the jungle in the business world and know more about how to translate technology into products.
Q: Now that you have graduated and chosen to continue your studies, can you briefly share that experience with us?
During the application season, relatively elite results had been made in my language performance before the pandemic. I also took a lot of time to hone the skill afterwards. Overall, my application was not affected by the pandemic. My paper was published before the application began. I applied for both M.S. programs and Ph.D. programs. Luckily, I was admitted to the M.S. program at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne and promised the Ph.D. program by NUS and CUHK.
There are two reasons for choosing the M.S. program at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Firstly, it has excellent faculty and ranking (ranked 10th according to 2022 QS World University Rankings for Computer Science), and it provides sufficient opportunities for me to continue my exploration. It is also because the university is located in Switzerland. The living environment in Switzerland and Europe is a novel and desirable adventure for me.
Q: What are your current major and why did you choose it?
I am continuing to study computer science. I think, computer software is cool. It’s like a virtual world where code is the law. You freely design rules, and the computer will accurately run the world according to your rules. Just like in the real world, you should also consider factors such as correctness and security, so you can explore many different fields. Compared with hardware development, in most cases, software is low-cost and reproducible, so you can easily try new things or repeatedly appreciate what you have created. In addition, optimistic job outlooks in computer science can ensure a better quality of life.
Q: What are your plans for your future?
My future plan is to engage in scientific research or engineering in corporate labs, because my several experiences in EPFL's laboratory and Zurich company during my postgraduate years tell me that better research needs better talents, software and hardware and data resources, while those resources are more available in corporations. Also, I can live a more structured and stable life when working in corporations and strike a better life-work balance.
Q: In view of the possible confusion and bewilderment of many freshmen, do you have any lessons to tell your younger fellows?
I have two important suggestions. First, dare to try and seize the chance. If you are interested in a certain field or have had relevant experience before, you can boldly ask the professor if there is a right opportunity to start exploring. It may be difficult at the start, but you can develop the ability to find answers and solve problems throughout the process. It can help you deal with other problems in work and life. Meanwhile, you will have better communication skills. You can learn how to explain issues, put your views across, enlist support, and get along with others. All of that can make you popular.
Second, plan and look ahead. In the post-pandemic era, you need to have the ability and preparation to deal with the unknown, while with plans, you can remain calm in face of uncertainty. For example, if you pass standardized tests for the English language in advance, you will not be caught unprepared when the exam site is canceled due to the pandemic; or if you try to find your sense of direction, you will not lose yourself in the cyclical changes of society and science.
Q: Any final remark?
I want to share a book named Non-Violent Communication, which tells us how to use the art of communication to deal with problems in interpersonal relationships, how to express yourself easily, and how to be empathetic with others. Relating with others is inevitable, whether in the lab, school, or company. This book can help us avoid mistakes in communication so that we can better enjoy our college years.
