International students get a jumpstart on research with guidance of CUHK supervisors

The Summer Undergraduate Research Programme (SURP), an institutional summer initiative for international students to undertake short-term research attachments at CUHK, serves as a platform for academic departments to promote graduate opportunities to students and supports collaboration between researchers. This year's SURP has hosted a total of 60 students from 32 overseas institutions. They are supervised by 34 distinguished CUHK faculty members on research projects in a variety of disciplines including Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science and Social Science.

One of the participants, Ms. Constance Lau from the University of California, Berkeley, gained first-hand research experience in the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care. She worked on a project about night shift work and immune health, which involved fieldwork in Shenzhen. Under the supervision of Prof. Shelly Tse, Director of Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Constance assisted in data collection and blood sample analysis. At the culmination of the programme, she presented her findings at the Presentation Series hosted by the Centre for Global Health. ‘The whole summer research experience was incredible,’ Constance shared. Other students are also thankful to the immersive programme for extending their knowledge to the next level.

SURP also took students out from the laboratory. Mr. Joe Wong, the CEO of Medisen Limited and a CUHK alumnus, was invited to share his journey of becoming an entrepreneur during a tour to the Science Park. He encouraged students to turn new science discoveries into reality.

Apart from engaging in research, the participants also enjoyed a splendid summer in Hong Kong through a series of social and cultural activities such as lunch seminars, Cantonese classes, and city trips.

The Office of Academic Links (OAL) will soon invite CUHK faculty members from all disciplines to host incoming undergraduate students for SURP 2016. Faculty members are encouraged to take part in the programme in order to promote CUHK’s research strengths and graduate opportunities. Interested parties please follow the updates on OAL website.