SEE Summer Research Camp Welcomes Indian Students to Foster Global Research Talent
The School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) successfully hosted the SEE-CityUHK Summer Research Program in July 2025, welcoming 9 visiting students from leading institutions in India including IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, IISER Bhopal, and NIT Calicut. Designed to foster academic exchange and collaboration, the summer program offered these talented students a valuable opportunity to engage with SEE’s vibrant research community and explore its interdisciplinary research.
Opening session of the SEE–CityUHK Summer Research Program 2025
Seated (left to right): Prof. Sai Kishore Ravi, Prof. Xuneng Tong, Prof. Jian Wang, Prof. Fatwa Abdi, Prof. Angus Hin Lap Yip, Prof. Patrick Sit, and Prof. Shauhrat Chopra. Standing (left to right): Visiting students: Bhumika Bhangale (IIT Bombay), Adrash Varikkassery (NIT Calicut), Akash Joshy (IISER Bhopal), Pooja Saikia (IIT Gandhinagar), Jaydeep Kanungo (IIT Gandhinagar), Jayash Sahu (NIT Calicut), Surya Samyog Praveen (NIT Calicut), Kritika Bansal (IIT Kanpur), and Sunil Kumar Prajapat (IISc Bengaluru).
The program opened with an introductory session featuring presentations by SEE faculty and research groups, followed by a lab safety briefing and tours of SEE’s centralized facilities. Students also visited the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health (SKLMEH) to gain further insight into ongoing research efforts
Our faculty welcomed students with a snapshot of CityUHK, the SEE community, and its research and outreach initiatives.
Visiting students introduced themselves and shared their academic backgrounds during the opening session of the summer program.
The students also networked with SEE faculty and current research students, gaining further insight into life at CityUHK and postgraduate opportunities.
As part of SEE’s broader internationalization and talent-nurturing efforts to engage emerging researchers from top institutions worldwide, the program offered a glimpse into the dynamic research culture at CityUHK. Several visiting students expressed interest in returning for their doctoral studies, drawn by the academic environment and mentorship they experienced during the program.
Many shared reflections on their lab experiences, interactions with faculty and peers, and memorable moments exploring Hong Kong:
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“Diving into the working of LEDs, photovoltaics, and AI-driven solutions to it with
Prof. Angus Yip and his group was both challenging and inspiring—every
discussion sparked new questions. The CityUHK research ecosystem pushed me
to think beyond the obvious. At the same time, the vibrant campus life and
glimpses of Hong Kong’s culture made the journey unforgettable.”
— Jayash Sahu, NIT Calicut
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“My time at SEE, CityUHK was both inspiring and transformative. I had the
privilege of working with Prof. Fatwa Abdi, whose group focuses on developing
advanced materials and devices for solar-to-chemical energy conversion. From
investigating the properties of complex metal oxides using spectroscopy
techniques to exploring innovative strategies for improving their performance, the
experience gave me a deeper understanding of sustainable energy research.
Outside the lab, I explored the vibrant city of Hong Kong, from its local food spots
to scenic hiking trails. This made the summer truly unforgettable,”
— Bhumika Bhangale, IIT Bombay
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“The research environment at SEE was truly inspiring. Interacting with CityU
students helped expand my research interests, and engaging with Prof. Jason
Lam and his group was a valuable experience. The campus itself was peaceful
and beautiful. And now I finally understand why everyone insisted I try the egg
tarts in Hong Kong—they were absolutely delicious!”
— Jaydeep Kanungo, IIT Gandhinagar
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Their reflections were echoed by several other participants, who found the program both engaging and insightful. Many appreciated the opportunity to work closely with research groups, explore unfamiliar scientific areas, and enjoy life on a welcoming campus set against the backdrop of one of Asia’s most vibrant cities.
Lab tour at the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health (SKLMEH), hosted by Prof. Patrick Lee, Associate Director of SKLMEH.
Central to the summer program was a Research Hackathon, during which students were embedded within host research groups to explore current scientific challenges. Through interactive discussions, short training, and literature reviews, each student identified a specific research problem aligned with their group’s focus and proposed a conceptual approach to address it. Students had the opportunity to explore topics in water quality management, advanced energy materials, green fuels, waste-to-value, CO2 capture, and other critical areas aligned with SEE’s mission to tackle grand challenges at the energy-environment nexus.
The program concluded with a Student Symposium, where each participant gave a short presentation outlining their proposed research ideas, key learnings, and reflections from the program. Faculty members, fellow students, and research group members engaged in lively Q&A sessions, further enriching the academic exchange.
The program spotlighted SEE’s proactive efforts to nurture global research talent and expand its PhD recruitment pipeline through its impactful international academic exchange.
A cheerful close to the summer program following the Student Symposium.
Prof. Sai Kishore Ravi, who coordinated the program, said he was inspired by the level of curiosity and critical thinking the visiting students brought to the Research Hackathon through their engagement with SEE’s faculty and research groups.
Sharing his reflections, he noted:
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“I also found myself learning a great deal from these bright young minds. I
hope this experience sparks in them a lasting interest in research and
encourages them to consider pursuing doctoral studies and impactful
careers in the future.”
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“We see programs like this as part of our broader effort to foster global
academic exchange and inspire the next generation of sustainability
leaders. By engaging aspiring students from leading institutions across the
globe, we aim to nurture talent and spark new ideas that drive innovation
in sustainability and contribute to our collective efforts in addressing the
climate crisis through research and outreach.”, said Prof. Edwin Chi-Yan
TSO, Associate Dean for Outreach and Internationalization
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