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CHENG Chun Wun
CHENG Chun Wun, Sam (PhD - University of Cambridge)
Pursuing Postgraduate Studies

Dreams are powerful and can motivate us to achieve great things that we may not have thought possible. 

For many students, getting into a PhD program at a prestigious university like the University of Cambridge can seem like an impossible dream. The CityU mathematics department played a significant role in helping me achieve my dream of getting into a PhD in Mathematics of Information at Cambridge.

As a high school student, I struggled with Mathematics and often struggled to understand complex concepts and equations. Despite my difficulties, I remained determined to pursue my passion for Mathematics and decided to enroll in the CityU Mathematics Department to further my education. At CityU, I found a supportive and rigorous academic environment that encouraged me to work hard and push myself to my limits. With the guidance of my professors and classmates, I improved my Mathematics skills significantly and developed a deeper understanding of the subject.

City University's Mathematics Department has played a crucial role in shaping my academic and personal growth. The department's encouragement to explore beyond the curriculum has provided me with countless opportunities and a supportive environment to develop my skills and explore my interests in mathematics. Through their invaluable guidance, I have had the opportunity to participate in various STEM internships and overseas summer research at prestigious institutions such as the University of Cambridge and compete in competitions and scholarships. These experiences have not only broadened my perspective but also equipped me with the knowledge and skills that are essential for excelling in academic research. Moreover, the department's faculty members have always been a source of inspiration and encouragement, motivating me to push beyond my limits and explore new domains of mathematics. They made me realize my potential and encouraged me to keep trying, even when I faced difficulties. As a result, I have grown both personally and academically, becoming a better person and researcher along the way. The Mathematics Department at City University has been instrumental in my academic success, providing me with an enabling environment and invaluable opportunities to explore and excel in mathematics. I am grateful for their guidance, support, and encouragement, and I am excited to continue learning and growing under their tutelage.

The professors here are particularly committed to helping students succeed. They are always available to answer questions, provide extra help, and offer guidance on complex concepts. When I had some difficulties in math, I emailed them and got a quick reply about the concept. I am the students who always went to their office hours and asked for academic help. They are all happy to provide support. Not only the educational difficulties but they are also pleased to help in all aspects such as career goals and further study. They care deeply about their students and are always looking for ways to help them achieve their goals. These strong supports made me succeed in getting into the University of Cambridge for my further study.

Finally, I knew that my success could not have been possible without the support of CityU's mathematics department and different faculty members. I would like to highlight several professors for helping me achieve this big dream

Dr. Wing Cheong Lo, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to you for being a fantastic mentor and providing me with invaluable support throughout my four years at CityU. Your patience, wisdom, and kindness have tremendously impacted my life, and I am so grateful to have had you as a mentor. You have helped me to develop essential skills, build my confidence, and prepare me for the challenges that lie ahead.

Prof. Hongyu Liu, I wanted to express my deepest appreciation for your invaluable contribution to my academic growth and success. You have been an outstanding mentor and supervisor throughout my final year project. I have learned so much from you during my time working with you, and I am immensely grateful for your guidance, patience, and encouragement.

Prof. Raymond H. Chan, I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and guidance throughout my academic journey. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity you provided me to work on my summer research project at the University of Cambridge. Your nomination was a great honor and the experience was invaluable in shaping my research skills and creativity.

Dr. Angelica Aviles Rivero and Prof Carola-Bibiane Schönlieb from the University of Cambridge, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the time and effort you put into being my summer research supervisors at the University of Cambridge. Your guidance and support were invaluable as I navigated through my research project in Neural ODEs and medical segmentation. Your mentorship not only helped me to develop my research skills but also provided me with the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the field of applied math. Thank you for being such excellent supervisors and for investing your time and energy into helping me achieve my academic goals. I am definitely a better researcher and student because of your input, and I feel honored to have worked with you both. More importantly, thanks for taking me as your’s PhD student at the University of Cambridge.

There are a lot of great professors at CityU, and I cannot list all due to the word limit. Thanks to all the professors who taught me, such as Dr. Dan DAI, Dr. Xiansheng ZHUANG, and Prof. Ya Yan LU. To my fellow classmates, I want to thank you for the wonderful memories and experiences we've shared over the years. Your friendship, support, and encouragement have been invaluable to my growth as a student and a person. I am proud of all that we have accomplished together, and I know that our paths will cross again in the future. To my juniors, I encourage you to make the most of your time in this department. Take advantage of the incredible resources and opportunities available, and don't hesitate to ask for help or guidance when needed. I have no doubt that you will continue to achieve great things and positively impact the field of mathematics.