Dr Wang Dian

PhD Graduate, College of Engineering
Director of EM and Manufacturing, Calterah Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd.

“Change the world through your passions!”

Nearly two decades ago, when City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) conducted recruitment in Yunnan, Dr Wang Dian was drawn by the University’s outstanding academic and research capabilities. He was attracted by the prestigious ranking of the Department of Electrical Engineering and the exceptional calibre of its professors and research teams, compelling him to pursue his studies in Hong Kong. At the University, he was further impressed and inspired by the significant number of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellows in the department and the publication of numerous high-quality research papers, eagerly diving into the start of his academic journey.

At CityUHK, Dr Wang deepened his interest in electronic engineering under the guidance of his teachers, completing his Bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees at the University. Today, he collaborates closely with his senior and fellow Electronic and Communication Engineering graduate, Dr Chen Jiashu, serving as the Director of EM and Manufacturing at Calterah Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd. Working hand in hand, they are determined to become global leaders in the millimetre-wave (mmWave) radar chip industry.

During his time at CityUHK, Dr Chen received numerous accolades and distinguished himself as a prominent figure. In 2007, he was awarded a Fulbright Science and Technology Fellowship from the US Department of State, making him the sole recipient of this honour in Hong Kong.

Dr Wang’s passion for electronics developed at a young age, as he frequently dismantled and reassembled small appliances at home to understand their inner workings. His fascination with physics and circuitry deepened throughout high school, laying the foundation for his future academic pursuits. With this passion, Dr Wang commenced his Bachelor of Engineering studies at CityUHK in 2006, majoring in Electronic and Communication Engineering. He subsequently pursued and completed his doctoral degree, culminating nearly a decade of research excellence at the University. In 2015, he began working at the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves, developing his research on mmWave technology.

Beyond his studies in electronic engineering, CityUHK’s abundant resources and flexible learning approach enabled Dr Wang to cultivate and deepen his personal interests. In addition to his major courses, he explored subjects such as physics, photography and creative media. He even sat in on a design course, ingeniously integrating his professional expertise into an assignment by creating a birthday cake with an electronic candle that could be blown out, earning high praise from his lecturer.

This interdisciplinary learning experience broadened his horizons beyond a single scope of study, reinforcing his advice to students: maintain curiosity, explore interests across diverse fields, and pursue continuous learning.

Dr Wang firmly believes that while certain interests may seem unrelated to one’s expertise, they possess “usefulness in uselessness” — potentially playing a pivotal role in unexpected situations later in life. He cites Apple co-founder Steve Jobs as an example: Jobs’ childhood fascination with calligraphy later inspired him to design groundbreaking typefaces that revolutionised global design aesthetics.

Dr Wang regards his doctoral supervisor, Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement) at CityUHK, as his most inspiring mentor. Professor Chan’s rigorous scholarly approach profoundly influenced Dr Wang, exemplified by his meticulous attention to even the smallest errors in Dr Wang’s presentations. In engineering, a slight error can have significant consequences, making precision at every stage of the research process critical. With no room for carelessness, as the slightest oversight can render an entire research endeavour futile. Dr Wang carries this exacting attitude inspired by Professor Chan in his work to this day.

Beyond his academic rigour, Professor Chan consistently demonstrated compassion and understanding, profoundly shaping Dr Wang’s personal ethos. This guidance helped him define his professional path, empowering him to establish a career grounded in sound research practices and a principled approach to life.

Upon the completion of his PhD, Dr Wang joined Calterah, founded in 2014 by Dr Chen. At Calterah, he continued to apply his expertise, dedicating himself to developing automotive mmWave radar chips, including Antenna in Package (AiP) radar chips. Headquartered in Shanghai, Calterah also has R&D and tech support centres in Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Beijing and other locations, along with an operations office in Hong Kong. This year, Calterah anticipates a revenue of RMB 700 million, while employing over 400 staff and holding more than 600 proprietary patented products. Cumulative shipments of Calterah’s mmWave radar chips have surpassed 20 million units, with a major presence in the advanced driver assistance systems of most electric vehicles in China.

This young man from Yunnan completed his studies and gained experience at CityUHK before ultimately establishing his business in Shanghai. Through the transformative power of mmWave technology, he has exceeded beyond boundaries and risen brilliantly upon the global stage. He remains steadfastly devoted to the flame of his passion, holding the profound conviction that with such dedication, one can forge great achievements and change the world through the power of scientific research.

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Last updated: 30-12-2025