This summer, the Class of 2025 will graduate from Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT), carrying with them the wisdom and courage forged in university to embrace infinite possibilities. At GTIIT, they have persevered through challenges brought by the pandemic, conquered academic puzzles, broadened international horizons, celebrated cultural richness, and discovered their true passions, showcasing the exemplary spirit of "Dream it. Do it." through each innovative practice.

GTIIT is launching a series of interviews featuring the Class of 2025 undergraduates. Let's delve into these powerful stories of passion and perseverance, and witness how their defining moments of efforts blossom into fruition.

Name: Su Han

High School: Changchun Experimental High School (Gaokao Score: 488)

Program: Mechanical Engineering and Robotics (MER)

Awards: GTIIT Dean’s List (2022-2023 & 2023-2024)

Offers: Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, University of Washington, McGill University, University of Toronto

GPA at the time of application: 90

"All worries turned into joy." Recalling the moment he received the Yale offer, Su Han could still feel that excitement.

In summer 2021, right after the Gaokao, he took his suitcase and headed to GTIIT—a place 3,000 kilometers away from his hometown. From the cool north to the warm southern coast, he faced academic challenges in an entirely new environment and spent days and nights in the lab. Four years of hard work led him to an Ivy League acceptance, which proves one thing: At GTIIT, there’s no limit you can’t break—only a better version of yourself to become.

Learn with fun: depth unlocks delight

"Back in high school, I was fascinated by how machines worked. I loved putting different parts together to make simple things—every little success gave me a great sense of achievement." This early passion led Su Han to choose GTIIT, a globally recognized tech university with strong engineering roots, as his top-choice—to start his journey into mechanical engineering.

But the first semester was tough. "It was the most stressful period. All classes were in English—I couldn’t understand or keep up, and I was very worried." What made it worse was his struggle with asking questions: "I was too shy to approach foreign professors. Even simple concepts took me so much time to figure out, but my grades didn’t improve."

Su Han (first from the right)

The setbacks taught him one thing: Hard work alone wasn’t enough—he needed to ask questions and truly absorb the knowledge. By his second year, he started speaking up in class and meeting professors after hours to discuss problems. "That changed everything," he said. "I stopped wasting time on basics and could focus on deeper theories. The professors are always happy to help us and listen to our thoughts."

From passive learning to active exploration, Su Han described his study methods as undergoing a "qualitative leap"—a transformation coming with his growing self-discipline. "GTIIT’s inclusive management means no one will remind you what to do; it’s all on you. So I figured out a schedule that balanced comfort with productivity—no last-minute cramming."

As coursework advanced, fragmented knowledge was connected, revealing more fun in mechanical engineering. "During the ‘Mechanical Design’ course in junior year, I found the‘Solid Mechanics’ and ‘Materials Science’ lessons I had learned before were interconnected," he recalled, "Dry concepts came alive—I could see the system and real-world value behind the theories."

Su Han's Notes on Mechanical Design

With theory mastered, he followed the course to create entirely new products—from design and calculations to simulation testing. "This wasn’t just about putting theories into practices; it taught me the full product development cycle and deepened my expertise."

His transcript traced a ascent—from a 78 in freshman fall to an 88 by spring, then consistently topping 90+. This upward trajectory, fueled by his evolving learning experience, became the foundation for his Yale admission.

Early academic exploration: from a question to a paper

At GTIIT, where academic research is highly valued, many undergraduates start doing research early. "During the summer after my freshman year, I worked in Assoc. Prof. Liu Mingyi’s lab. I helped design experimental equipment and saw how ‘control’ was used in engineering. This gave me a strong foundation for my studies."

Starting from the summer vacation of his sophomore year, he joined Associate Professor Dmitry Pashchenko’s research group as a student assistant. Here, the professor acted as both a guide and an observer—he pushed students to think deeper about course questions while encouraging them to develop their own ideas. Su Han was able to experience the entire process from asking questions to publishing a paper, turning creative ideas into real results.

Su Han (second from the left) and lab members

The most memorable case was a casual question from Associate Professor Pashchenko during a junior-year lecture. It sparked a lab-wide discussion, and six months later, that intellectual friction bore fruit: the team co-authored a paper in International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, with findings that are significant for optimizing reactor designs in industrial applications.

"The four-year MER program at GTIIT offers extensive hands-on experiments, allowing us to deepen our knowledge through repeated ‘learning by doing,’" he reflected. "Professors patiently mentor us and provide abundant platforms to showcase our skills. Everyone can fully hone their potential through practical training."

When applying for graduate studies, he remained committed to his passion for mechanical engineering. "This field is both intellectually complex and interdisciplinary. My undergraduate experience revealed its intuitive appeal—with many engaging, practice-oriented courses that made learning truly enjoyable." He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to GTIIT: "Professors integrate cutting-edge research into classroom teaching and prioritize cultivating innovation and critical thinking. The outstanding postgraduate admissions results of our seniors prove that GTIIT not only equips us with real expertise but also leverages its international reputation to boost our applications."

To high school students considering GTIIT, he shared heartfelt advice: "GTIIT’s top-tier educational resources and vibrant research environment will endlessly fuel your creativity. By the end of this journey, you’ll be more mature, confident, and transformed into a new version of yourself." Now, carrying such growth and poise, he stands prepared to step into broader horizons.

Text: GTIIT News & Public Affairs

Photos: provided by Su Han