Postgraduate Student Life @ CUHK

For Nazrul Islam, choosing where to pursue a PhD in Mathematics was never going to be a casual decision. It was a problem to be solved with the same rigour he brings to his research - and the answer was The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Now working under Professor Jun Zou, a distinguished scholar in computational mathematics, Nazrul is tackling theoretical questions at the intersection of machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks.

The fit, he says, was precise. “CUHK's Department of Mathematics has strong expertise and active research groups across all these areas. Beyond the research fit, the quality of supervision and accessibility were defining factors; during the application process, the communication with my potential supervisor was warm, detailed, and demonstrated a genuine interest in my ideas, which gave me great confidence in my decision.”

Structured Rigour and the Making of an Independent Researcher

One of the defining features of CUHK graduate programmes in Mathematics is the candidacy structure - a demanding progression through rigorous coursework and qualifying examinations that Nazrul regards as one of the most valuable aspects of his doctoral training. Core units in Real Analysis and Complex Analysis have built the theoretical foundations his research demands, while the pressure of qualifying examinations has sharpened his ability to perform under conditions that mirror real academic life.
 

“The candidacy structure offers a clear, rigorous route to independent research,” he says. “It teaches me to work under pressure, simulating real academic demands, and systematically addressing my weaknesses. It is a process that has helped me transition from a student of mathematics to a true independent researcher.”

That transition is further supported by the Department’s graduate seminar series, which immerses students in current research problems and provides a platform to present work to leading scholars - as much an education in communicating mathematics as in doing it.

Mentorship That Rebuilds From the Ground Up

Working with Professor Zou has been, in Nazrul's own words, a process of rebuilding his research capacity from scratch - learning not just how to solve problems, but how to ask better ones, particularly where mathematical exactness meets practical scalability. “Every assumption is challenged, every proof pushed to its limit, and every algorithm examined for real-world feasibility,” he says.

Beyond the technical rigour, Professor Zou has opened doors to professional networks, international conferences, and collaborative opportunities that are already shaping Nazrul's academic and career trajectory. He recalls arriving on campus for the first time and being struck by his supervisor's kindness and the peaceful green campus: “It felt like I had found a home rather than just an academic base.”

Collaboration and a Global Perspective

Mathematics has a reputation as a solitary discipline, but Nazrul's experience at CUHK has challenged that. Working alongside peers from across Asia, Africa, and North America has exposed him to methodologies he would not have encountered otherwise - from advanced optimisation techniques to statistical methods for image processing. “Seeing these varied perspectives broadens my thinking and pushes me to combine techniques I would not have considered on my own,” he says.
 

CUHK's high-performance computing resources add a further practical dimension, directly enabling the large-scale simulations that bridge his theoretical models and real-world applications. For international students in Hong Kong, the city's position as a meeting point between East and West creates a research culture that is both rigorous and genuinely global.

Settling In and Standing Up

Relocating for a PhD requires adjustment, and Nazrul credits CUHK's support structures - orientation sessions, Graduate School social events, and practical guidance from the Office of Student Affairs on housing and daily life - with making his transition smooth. A recent milestone brought it all into focus. “A deeply meaningful moment was presenting my collaborative work at the Faculty of Science’s Postgraduate Research Day on 28th April 2026. Sharing my ongoing research with a broad academic audience gave me a real sense of belonging and reinforced my commitment to my research goals.”

A Message to South Asian Researchers

For students from South Asia considering Hong Kong postgraduate studies, Nazrul makes a practical case alongside the academic one. Hong Kong is geographically far closer to South Asia than the US or Europe, making visits home realistic rather than rare. Financial support, including the Belt and Road Scholarship, makes the move more achievable than many assume.

His advice is simple: treat every challenge, including structural ones like the candidacy process, as a learning opportunity rather than an administrative hurdle. “It is key to building the genuine confidence required for long-term success,” he says.

Looking ahead, Nazrul sees a future equally viable in academia or the high-tech industry - a flexibility that is itself a product of training at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where theoretical rigour and practical application are two sides of the same discipline.