Tomislav Baškarad, University of Zagreb Matched with North China Electric Power University
The project IRES-8 offers you three secondment options i.e. three months, five months and nine months period of secondment. Even if you choose the shortest period, it is more than sufficient time to make progress in your research field on the one hand and to learn about China and its cultural aspects on the other hand. I was accepted for a secondment at the North China Electric Power University and through contact and collaboration with the professors as well as discussing and sharing experiences with other students, I was able to get considerable insight into the theoretical and practical problems related to my research field. In terms of social life, I had from the first day the ongoing chance to make great Chinese friends who helped me a lot to carry out the necessary procedures in order to set up myself for living in Beijing. Therefore, this project is the perfect opportunity for anyone who wants to combine study abroad with the love of travelling to visit new places.
Ninoslav Holjevac, University of Zagreb Matched with Tsinghua University
The opportunity provided through the IRES-8 project was a fantastic professional and personal experience. I got the opportunity to spend a semester at one of the top universities in the world. Tsinghua University, in the group of prof. Kang and prof. Zhang. The Tsinghua group was very welcoming and helped me in both technical and scientific question and in personal problems encountered. The connections made during the secondment enabled further collaboration. Direct result of the secondment is the published joint paper in the high impact journal and the set foundations for further publications.
Besides the professional segment of the life in China, the personal development segment must be mentioned. The broadening of personal horizons through the exploration of different culture, habits, language and people is invaluable. I hope in the future to get a chance to take part in a similar project.
Besides the professional segment of the life in China, the personal development segment must be mentioned. The broadening of personal horizons through the exploration of different culture, habits, language and people is invaluable. I hope in the future to get a chance to take part in a similar project.
Matej Krpan: University of Zagreb Matched with North China Electric Power University
I was a freshly enrolled PhD student when I applied for the IRES-8 project. I was paired with North China Electric Power University and prof. Yongqian Liu’s group at the School of Renewable Energy. The IRES-8 experience proved to be invaluable for both my professional and personal development. It enabled me to focus on the early stage of my research and I had many insightful discussions with my host supervisor. During my stay, I have published one journal paper and one conference paper. After the secondment, the connections made during my stay enabled a publication of two joint conference papers with my host supervisor. Furthermore, this secondment strengthened ties between the two universities which resulted in multiple bilateral projects.
From the personal standpoint, I had the pleasure of meeting and socializing with both Chinese students and other international students. I immersed myself in the Chinese culture by learning Chinese language and travelling the country on my own. The whole experience broadened my horizons and I hope I can be a part of a similar project in the future.
From the personal standpoint, I had the pleasure of meeting and socializing with both Chinese students and other international students. I immersed myself in the Chinese culture by learning Chinese language and travelling the country on my own. The whole experience broadened my horizons and I hope I can be a part of a similar project in the future.
Josip Đaković : University of Zagreb Matched with North China Electric Power
Secondment at the North China Electric Power University, as a part of IRES-8 project, was a great opportunity for me to explore Chinese culture, make new friends, exchange and gather new knowledge. Traveling around Beijing and China with Chinese friends is a truly unique experience for European Phd student. Staying on campus included various sports activities, hanging out with foreign and local students as well as collaborating on my research field where my host mentor and colleagues helped me a lot. Life in China can be challenging for a western foreigner because of the cultural and linguistic barrier, but the Chinese people are exceptionally open and willing to help in many situations. All in all, a valuable life experience that no one should miss, especially young researchers at the beginning of their career.
Ivan Pavic : University of Zagreb Matched with Beijing Jiaotong University.
As for the first year PhD student, IRES-8 project seemed like a good opportunity to gather new experience and knowledge. And it was definitely not a mistake. For a young researcher, Beijing address yields multiple benefits such as professional development at prestigious educational institutions and once in a lifetime experience of unique lifestyle and culture. Through cooperation and discussion with world leading researchers I have gained a deeper understanding of the particular problems within my research field. Studying abroad also brought me an insight into new ways of work organization as well as an outside the box advices. Apart from work-related benefits, I have learned a lot about Chinese culture, gastronomy and, most importantly, I have mastered the basics of Mandarin.
Alexandru Nechifor : University of Manchester Matched with Tsinghua University
My IRES-8 secondment has been a fantastic experience. It paved the way for a fruitful collaboration with prof. Dong from Tsinghua University and was simultaneously a great chance to start several wonderful friendships. While in Beijing, I got the chance to finalize research necessary for writing a collaborative paper draft with the two supervisors at my home and guest university. I also attended two international conferences: Advanced Power System Automation and Protection 2015 in Nanjing and the 12th China – Korea Joint Seminar on Power System Protection and Automation Technologies in Changsha. As a bonus achievement, together with my team and with professors from Tsinghua acting as IEEE Proctors, we placed 3rd out of more than 2300 teams from all over the world in the prestigious IEEEXtreme Challenge 24-hour programming competition. Additional to the excellent professional development chances, my Beijing secondment has also exposed me to a different and rich culture. Among many interesting cultural differences I experienced in Beijing, I found Chinese students on Tsinghua campus to be extremely kind and helpful.
Adrien Saint-Pierre : University of Manchester Matched with North China Electric Power University
When the opportunity to spend part of my PhD at a Chinese research institution came up, I was really eager to seize it. I applied for the programme and was accepted for a 5-month secondment at the North China Electric Power University, in Beijing. Both my host professor and the programme administrators prepared really well for my stay, and the local students helped me a great deal going through the campus life in the first few weeks. China is a very exciting place to discover and it is definitely very different than one can expect. Beijing truly has a lot to offer and the four project partners are highly regarded as top research institutions. You will meet great people, have a different life experience, and have the opportunity to travel around the country. I would definitely recommend this programme to all students interested in discovering a different culture, both culturally and professionally.
Caitlin Robinson : University of Manchester Matched with Tsinghua University
During the summer term of 2017 I took part in the IRES-8 scheme, based at the Building Energy Research Center in the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University, Beijing. This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me! Being at the end of the second year of my PhD at the University of Manchester, the secondment allowed me to spend three months pursuing research about energy poverty (the focus of my PhD thesis) but in a different national context. Members of the research group I was part of at Tsinghua University were extremely supportive, offering me access to interesting data, involving me in their weekly research activities and making sure I felt very at home in Beijing. Weekends were spent cycling around Tsinghua University’s beautiful campus, exploring the fascinating city and travelling further afield to other provinces in China. In addition to providing me with the opportunity to immerse myself in Chinese culture, the IRES-8 scheme has encouraged me to publish research that compliments but also reaches beyond my PhD thesis.
Angela Santangelo : University of Bologna Matched with Tsinghua University
When I heard about IRES-8 project and the opportunity to spend a short period of my PhD research project abroad hosted by a Chinese partner, I immediately decide to apply. It offered a great opportunity, especially being based in China, since young EU researchers are more likely to go to European or USA institutions. I did not want to miss such a rare opportunity.
Prof. Da Yan from Tsinghua University agreed to host me at the Building Energy Research Institute of the Department of Architecture, and he has been an excellent supervisor. Under his guidance, it was easy for me to integrate with his research group, where I found colleagues always ready to help both with academic and practical issues.
Whilst in Beijing, I finalized the research necessary for writing a joint paper with my host and home university supervisors, currently at the submission stage. Moreover, thanks to the excellent networks of Tsinghua with other relevant institutions worldwide, I had the opportunity to attend two lectures held by international experts from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, International Energy Agency and Plymouth University.
I absolutely recommend anyone to take the opportunity to join the IRES-8 project! It will enrich professional skills by working with high qualified researchers and allows researchers to explore China and the Chinese cultural diversity. It can take a while to acclimatise to living and working in a totally different environment, but it is worth it!
Prof. Da Yan from Tsinghua University agreed to host me at the Building Energy Research Institute of the Department of Architecture, and he has been an excellent supervisor. Under his guidance, it was easy for me to integrate with his research group, where I found colleagues always ready to help both with academic and practical issues.
Whilst in Beijing, I finalized the research necessary for writing a joint paper with my host and home university supervisors, currently at the submission stage. Moreover, thanks to the excellent networks of Tsinghua with other relevant institutions worldwide, I had the opportunity to attend two lectures held by international experts from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, International Energy Agency and Plymouth University.
I absolutely recommend anyone to take the opportunity to join the IRES-8 project! It will enrich professional skills by working with high qualified researchers and allows researchers to explore China and the Chinese cultural diversity. It can take a while to acclimatise to living and working in a totally different environment, but it is worth it!