Postgraduate Student Life @ CUHK

For JANG Dong Wook, the intersection of semiconductor technology and medicine formed the foundation of a seven-year academic journey at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

Now a fourth-year PhD candidate in CUHK’s Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), Dong Wook has experienced CUHK from nearly every angle, arriving first as an undergraduate and growing into a researcher at the frontier of healthcare innovation. By fusing advanced technology with life sciences, the programme aims to educate future leaders who can address the various health and clinical challenges of our time.

Strategic Research and Financial Support

When weighing his PhD options between the West and Asia, Dong Wook found that CUHK's graduate programmes offered a compelling balance of academic prestige and practical support. “CUHK provides a lot of financial aid; in that perspective, it is superior compared to other universities because there are many scholarship options available for students,” he explains.

Beyond finances, the specific research directions within CUHK’s Faculty of Engineering were the deciding factor. Dong Wook took a meticulous approach, diving deep into faculty profiles before applying. “I actually went into each professor's website to look at what they specialise in and their publications to see which professor was doing research in the direction I was most interested in.”
 

He was particularly drawn to the Department's ability to merge life sciences with hard engineering. The promotional materials, featuring robotic rehabilitation hands for stroke patients, first sparked his interest—an interest that has only grown stronger over time. “I thought those exoskeletal designs were really cool and beautiful,” he reflects.

That curiosity evolved into a focus on bionanotechnology and drug delivery. “Our Department provides various options for courses covering different areas, such as drug carriers that enter the body and release the drug at a desired location. That is what fascinates me and what makes biomedical engineering unique.”

Developing Leadership Through Technical Mastery

Becoming a leader in the biomedical field - Dong Wook has his sights set on roles such as R&D director or innovation consultant - demands far more than laboratory expertise. He credits the project-based CUHK curriculum for his broader professional development.

“During my undergraduate study in BME, we had a lot of courses involving different projects where you had to build programmes or instruments to help patients,” he says. “I actually learned coding during these types of experiences, which I never expected I would do in my life. Most importantly, I learned how to cooperate with other team members.”

Those collaborative environments taught him skills no textbook could provide. “I learned to deal with different people and different problems. I learned how to handle those conflicts, and those experiences helped me a lot in my PhD studies.”

For international students in Hong Kong, this cross-cultural collaboration is part of daily life. Dong Wook also highlights a practical advantage of researching in the city: “In Hong Kong, the rules for biomedical instruments are less strict than in other countries. This brings more convenience when we want to purchase equipment or get a license.”

Bridging the Gap to Global Industry

Professional development at The Chinese University of Hong Kong extends well beyond the laboratory. From day one, students are connected to a steady stream of industry opportunities. “When you join CUHK, from day one they start emailing you about companies doing recruitment talks,” Dong Wook explains. “Within this week alone, I received about ten emails regarding different opportunities and companies holding recruitment talks on our campus.” In his view, CUHK “really does a great job in taking care of students' future careers.”
 

The quality of mentorship has left an equally strong impression. “All the professors I have encountered are very friendly. The professors here are nice; they reply to your emails very quickly, usually within one or two days.” The campus environment also plays a vital role in his productivity. As the largest campus in Hong Kong, nestled on a mountainside, it offers a natural sanctuary from the pressures of doctoral study. “The air here is really fresh. When I get stuck on research questions, I just walk around the campus and see the trees and birds to get rid of my stress.”

Advice for Aspiring Korean Researchers

For Korean engineering graduates considering Hong Kong postgraduate studies, Dong Wook offers reassurance on cultural adaptation. “The major worry for students wanting to study abroad is whether or not they can adapt to a new environment, but there is no need to worry about such things.” Language, he adds, is rarely the barrier students expect. “All the professors here speak good English, and even students who are not as confident in English can still communicate because there are many different ways to share ideas.”

He also points to the practical advantages of a Hong Kong graduate school education. “The most important thing in research is the funding. The Hong Kong government is currently pouring massive investments into the biotechnology sector through initiatives like the RAISe+ Scheme and the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). This level of support ensures that research groups are incredibly well-funded, allowing students to focus entirely on their work without financial strain.”

Now in his final year and looking toward a future in the semiconductor industry, Dong Wook's seven-year journey stands as a testament to what a CUHK postgraduate education can offer - the technical foundation, international perspective, and personal growth needed to bring innovative healthcare solutions to the world.