Introduction to the Dean

Han Peigang, a Ph.D. holder in Engineering from City University of Hong Kong and the winner of the 2015 China Overseas Chinese Scientific and Technological (Innovative Talents) Contribution Award, is currently the Dean of the School of New Materials and New Energy at Shenzhen Technology University. He has more than 30 years of experience in research and development of new materials and new energy industries, and has provided technical services and engineering construction for more than 200 enterprises. He has published more than 40 academic papers at home and abroad, and holds 5 Chinese patented technologies.

New Materials and New Energy: Evergreen Fields of Study

For over 30 years, Dr. Han has focused his research on new materials and optoelectronic devices, achieving notable results in solar energy that have been recognized with multiple national patents. In recent years, he has presided over two innovation fund projects for small and medium-sized enterprises funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and has led a project on the utilization of medium-to-high-temperature trough solar thermal technology that has been included in the country's major support projects. As one of China's seven strategic emerging industries, new materials and new energy hold great potential for future industrial transformation, upgrading, and sustainable economic development. Dr. Han believes that "from the perspective of modern technological development, most key components in technological industries rely on cutting-edge technologies in new materials. This field of study will never become outdated!"

Shenzhen, with its distinctive locational advantages and a complete industrial chain, offers a fertile ground for the School of New Materials and New Energy. Since its inception, the school has instilled a strong sense of new materials and new energy among its students, encouraging them to become advocates and promoters of these technologies. Currently, the school offers four first-level disciplinary majors and plans to establish several research centers in areas such as light sources and illumination, materials science and engineering, new energy science and engineering, and microelectronics science and engineering. It also aims to gradually expand its enrollment and training of master's and doctoral students.

"My vision for the school is to establish it as an important base for cultivating applied technological and innovative talents in China's new materials and new energy industries. We aim to create a collaborative platform for industry and international innovation in this field, serving as a model for high-level applied technological universities in new materials and new energy worldwide," said Dr. Han.

Collaborations with Other Institutions and Enterprises

Drawing from his extensive overseas study and work experience, Dr. Han has been committed to internationalizing the School of New Materials and New Energy since its establishment. "Our teaching models and curriculum are benchmarked against top applied technological universities in Germany and Switzerland," he explained.

In recent years, the school has worked closely with foreign partner institutions to develop "3+1" and "3+2" programs, establish a Sino-Swiss Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, and facilitate student exchanges, international week activities, corporate internships, and the establishment of enterprise classes. These endeavors have not only enhanced students' language skills and professional expertise but also deepened friendships, broadened cultural horizons, and expanded their knowledge. For students at the School of New Materials and New Energy, these experiences have become a unique badge of honor, distinguishing them from their peers at many mainland universities.

Dr. Han's extensive experience in the corporate world has taught him that the key to success lies in translating theoretical knowledge into practical applications. To this end, the school closely aligns its efforts with national and provincial strategic development plans, fostering close ties with emerging strategic industries and encouraging professors and students to make breakthroughs in disciplines, especially in novel interdisciplinary fields. Since their freshman year, students at the school have the opportunity to visit and learn from enterprises, engage in relevant practical projects, and help solve industrial challenges. "We have established cooperation agreements with leading domestic enterprises such as BYD, Huawei, Chow Tai Fook, ZTE International, and Poly Photonics. Our students can intern at these companies every year and have a priority to secure employment after graduation," said Dr. Han.

Currently, the college has maintained excellent cooperative relationships with contracted enterprises. In the Ma'anling campus, the School of New Materials and New Energy possesses highly advanced laboratories, including the Advanced Diamond Tool Joint Laboratory jointly established with Yuhe Diamond Tools, the Jewelry Technology Joint Laboratory jointly founded with Chow Tai Fook, the Joint Laboratory with City University of Hong Kong, and the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Crystal Growth and Detection Technology, among others. He said, "These laboratories are equipped with industrialized advanced equipment that simulates real-world practical scenarios. Students can learn skills and techniques in the same immersive project-based teaching method as students at advanced technological universities abroad, cultivating their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems."

Han Peigang expressed, "We have paved more possibilities for the future of our students. We hope that through four years of study, they can acquire solid basic skills, possess high comprehensive competitiveness, and have more diverse choices after graduation."

Providing world-class education to students

the School of New Materials and New Energy at Shenzhen Institute of Technology is among the first batch to enroll students, currently housing nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate students. In the cultivation of students, Dean Han Peigang emphasizes the need for tailored education, targeting each student's unique abilities and characteristics.

Thus far, the school's students have repeatedly represented the university in national and provincial technical competitions, such as the "National College Students' Semiconductor Light Source System Innovation Contest," achieving outstanding results. Dean Han believes that the art of teaching should not merely be the transmission of knowledge but should have a comprehensive impact on students. "In just two short years, taking advantage of our professors' international backgrounds, we've invited more than ten renowned professors, including Nobel Laureates and members of the National Academy of Engineering of the USA, to serve as our guest or adjunct professors. They lecture and teach here, engaging in academic exchanges, allowing our students to learn directly from the masters. Additionally, we have appointed top talents from the University of Cambridge and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore as full-time distinguished professors."

Most of the newly joined faculty members of the School of New Materials and New Energy come from universities ranked in the top 100 globally. They are required to achieve academic accomplishments, engage in cutting-edge research projects, and have industry experience. Furthermore, to enhance teaching levels and innovate training models, the school regularly organizes undergraduate curriculum evaluation sessions, young faculty training, and teaching

work conferences to strengthen the comprehensive quality of its educators. Dean Han states, "We want our students to receive world-class education right in the classroom."

"With a powerful faculty, broad international perspective, solid theoretical knowledge, and rich practical experience... These advanced training models endow the students of the School of New Materials and New Energy with robust competitiveness, whether they choose to pursue further studies or enter the workforce upon graduation." Dean Han Peigang is confident in transforming the school into a leading base in China for cultivating talents in the fields of new materials and new energy.