Teachers are like the lighthouse, enlightening all the succeeding generations. They devoted themselves to teaching and research, winning many students' respect and love.

The series of interviews with teachers will share their insights on education so that more people can get close to GTIIT's classes and teachers and know about its characteristics and educational philosophy.

When you think of chemical engineering, what comes to your mind? A petrochemical company, a chemical plant on the edge of a city, or the chemical product that can be seen everywhere in life? In Prof. Kong Bo's view, chemical engineering is a program which is always misunderstood – the chemical plant is only a small branch of the petrochemical field. Chemical engineering also involves pharmaceuticals, food, environment, energy, etc. It is a basic program compatible with various research, and it has been the source of his interest for decades.

Let us explore the chemical engineering world of Prof. Kong Bo from GTIIT Department of Chemical Engineering.

Serendipity to choose chemical engineering

"Although I am engaged in chemical engineering, none of my degrees belonged to this industry. I studied at the Zhejiang University for both my bachelor’s and master's degrees, conducting research on refrigeration and cryogenic engineering as well as rocket engine self-pressurization cycle.” Prof. Kong’s involving in chemical engineering can be traced back to his doctoral stage. "Although my doctoral major belongs to the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the United States, I participated in a chemical reactor research project funded by a pharmaceutical company. This project is in the field of chemical engineering, and my co-advisor is also from the Department of Chemical Engineering. As a result, we published the article in a chemical engineering journal, and I ‘accidentally’ stepped into the palace of chemical engineering." It was this inadvertent 'crossover' that made Prof. Kong discover the infinite charm of the chemical engineering industry.

"Chemical engineering is a multi-disciplinary major that includes physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, automatic control, etc. This can give chemical engineering graduates more options for their future academic and professional pursuits. The ‘crossover’ of my doctoral research and subsequent research experiences are the proof of this." Prof. Kong's first postdoctoral research was a project on the production of fuel by microalgae, and later he carried out research on simulating coal gasification combustion. While working in the United States, his research turned to metal additive manufacturing. "My experience seems to involve multiple disciplines such as fluids, biology, materials, etc., but in fact the theoretical knowledge that underlines it is all in the field of chemical engineering." Prof. Kong believes that many engineering majors are interlinked. Chemical engineering is a major that integrates multiple disciplines and will subtly improve students’ learning ability. As an illustration, his classmates are performing excellently in other business and scientific fields in addition to excelling in chemical engineering.

"Working in the United Stated is happy, but I always missed my parents and family members who were in China." Talking about the reasons for returning to China, Prof. Kong explained. After passing the interview at the Technion, he flew to China directly. "China has developed rapidly in the past ten years, and the infrastructure of many cities has surpassed the United States. Although Shantou is not as convenient as Shenzhen and Guangzhou, it is a city full of humanity and a sense of belonging." As a young research university, GTIIT has put a large investment in the field of scientific research which also enables Prof. Kong to continue to devote himself to education and scientific research.

Focus on scientific research, combine production and study

"The best state of a person is when he is doing what he likes. That’s how scientific research works for me. Every time I meet a problem, it is an opportunity for me to learn new knowledge. I enjoy this process very much." Talking about the reason of his insistence on scientific research, Prof. Kong showed his abiding passion for chemical engineering and scientific research.

During his free time, Prof. Kong often visits enterprises all over China. He thought about how to improve firing efficiency through simulation software in a ceramics factory; searched for the process problems in the production of lithium hexafluorophosphate batteries in a new energy car company; and cooperated with a local hospital to develop more accurate equipment. " I am more of an engineer than a scientist. Rather than exploring the truth of the scientific world, I am more concerned about whether my knowledge and technology can solve practical problems. If I do not go to the enterprises from time to time, my research results will be divorced from reality. " Prof. Kong is fond of the industry-university-research projects. "From practice to theory and then theory-assisted practice is a very interesting process that I enjoy."

Engage in education and teach students the way to learn

Interest is the key word in Prof. Kong's scientific research, and it is also the educational philosophy he has always followed. Cheng Tiansong, one of his doctoral students, said that rather than assigning detailed tasks, Prof. Kong prefers to let his students arrange their own scientific research, find the research direction they are interested in, and then discuss with him how to achieve it. He will also try his best to provide resources and guidance. In undergraduate courses, Prof. Kong also makes boring theories interesting by giving examples. In many students’ eyes, Prof. Kong's courses emphasize independent learning and encourage everyone to ask questions.

In addition to interest, it is important to find a learning method that suits you. In Prof. Kong's view, the first year is a critical period for the transition from the high school model to the university model. There are many subjects to learn in limited time in English, so you need to adjust your learning methods as soon as possible. For English learning, Prof. Kong also shared his own methods. "Because of how bad my English was, I bought a full set of "Friends" CDs in Shanghai before I left for the United States. After arriving there, I used my mealtime to watch them day after day. It’s so interesting that I had watched it at least three times.” After this, Prof. Kong was surprised to find that he could communicate smoothly with American friends. "Many expressions I used in daily life are not memorized by rote but are mastered unconsciously in the process of watching dramas."

“University is a process of constantly finding the way of life and realizing self-worth. “Prof. Kong said that since students can only see professors and researchers at the university, it is easy to have the misunderstanding that they will only engage in scientific research in the future. "It is good to find your interest in scientific research, but that is not the only way in the future. Many students can also show their talents in the government and enterprises. If you are capable enough, you have unlimited possibilities in any industry."

Message

Cherish the best time in the university. Keep trying, know yourself, find your favorite field, and work hard for it!