Graduates | 王元灏：从广以出发，点亮数学直博之路
2024年，广东以色列理工学院迎来第四届本科毕业生。尽管入学时正值新冠疫情暴发、中外合作办学遇冷，但意志坚定的少年们用理想指引前路，以行动践行初心，他们秉承“实干圆梦”（dream it, do it）的广以校训，在科学的道路上砥砺前行，成就了一个个“低调高光”的动人故事。自本期起，广以2024届本科毕业生系列专访将与大家共同分享学子们耕耘梦想的成长故事，见证他们向阳而生的奋斗历程。
王元灏
广东以色列理工学院2024届毕业生
毕业高中：山东威海一中
本科专业：数学与计算机科学专业
奖学金：学业优秀奖学金（2019-2020、2020-2021），广以Dean's List（2021-2022、2022-2023）
录取项目：加州大学圣塔芭芭拉分校（UCSB）统计学直博、南加州大学应用数据科学硕士、哥伦比亚大学统计学硕士
勇于改变，努力适应
在父亲的影响下，元灏自高中阶段树立起对理工科的浓厚兴趣。高考择校时，他和父母将目光投向了坐拥4位诺奖得主、以科技和创业闻名的以色列理工学院。作为以理的中国校区，广东以色列理工学院专注理工科的专业设置与重科研、重创新的教学体系与他兴趣相符。最终，他选择入读广以的材料科学与工程专业。
在第一年的学习中，元灏渐渐发现自己对数学有更加浓厚的兴趣。在他看来，数学作为基础学科与各个学科联系紧密，结合计算机科学的课程设计，也意味着未来的升学和职业发展中更加广泛的机遇。结合兴趣和多番考虑之后，在材料专业名列前茅的他转入数学与计算机科学专业就读。
从工科的应用数学转换到数学系的理论数学，元灏最初难以适应课程难度的大幅提升。广以数学系围绕“高阶计算机科学问题以深层次数学知识为基础”的专业建设思路，为学生提供深层次而宽领域的数学课程。大量抽象而深刻的定义、定理让元灏意识到，从前学习高中数学使用的记忆、刷题方法在高等数学的世界中并不“通行”。
“其实我的数学天赋并不特别高，但我的优势在于比较擅长向别人学习。”通过与同专业的优秀同学交流经验，他明白数学学习不是靠刻苦记忆，最重要的是理解。“面对每一门课程的定义和定理，我花费了最多的时间去思考，而对于课后题目并没有花太多的时间。理解定义和定理以后，数学没有想象中那么困难。”
“多问为什么”是元灏在广以数学系四年学习中最大的感悟。“在给同年级的人讲题时，他问我为什么需要这一步，我当时没有回答出来。但我觉得他的问题非常有意义，就是在学习的过程中，多问自己为什么。”
在往后的学习过程中，元灏形成了“自我提问”的习惯。“为什么要这么去定义？”“为什么要设置这个条件？”“从这个条件为什么能推导到这一步？”面对教科书上浩瀚晦涩的概念、理论，他以自问自答的形式替代死记硬背，在思考推导的过程中加深理解，走出“只缘身在此山中”的迷茫，逐渐形成了深度思考的习惯和更加缜密的逻辑思路。
元灏（左一）参加夏校项目
在思考与交流中成长
在元灏看来，广以数学系的学术特质聚集了许多志同道合的同学，大家共同享受探索知识的快乐，同时广以“问题驱动”式的教学理念也为师生创造了浓厚的学术讨论氛围。
课堂上，教师们引导学生从害怕提问、不会提问到自信提问、提好问题；课后，教师们提供“office hour”（课后咨询时间），让每位学生都能获得一对一学习交流的机会。
王元灏（左三）与广以的老师同学们合影
“我的英语基础一般，但课堂上教授们都会放缓语速为我们讲解，鼓励我们在不懂的时候提问。一开始去office hour我也不敢开口，害怕表达不清楚自己的意思。但教授们都特别照顾我们，倾听我们的问题和需求，特别喜欢学生去向他们问问题。”
在全英的教学交流环境中，元灏的英语能力得到了极大提升，国际化教学也为他适应海外学术环境打下了良好的基础。实现了能力和心态的双重成长，元灏终于“守得云开见月明”，渐渐掌握大学数学的学习方法，在教授的指导下涉猎高阶数学课程，在课业之外开始规划自己的未来发展方向。经过多番尝试与探索，他发现自己更适应数据科学、统计学等方向的应用数学研究，希望能够在相关方向继续深造。在他看来，工业界与学术界均需要相关专业的高端人才，更不乏像精算师、量化分析师等高薪岗位，职业发展前景光明。
元灏坦言，递交研究生申请时，他一度十分忐忑，作为广以数学与计算机科学专业首届毕业学子，申研的过程就像“摸着石头过河”。但让他没想到的是，广以作为以色列理工学院的中国校区的认可度这么高。“虽然广以是一所年轻的大学，但录取我的加州大学圣塔芭芭拉分校中，有许多以理本部出身的教授和学生。在与校方沟通的过程中，我感受到了世界名校对于广以的人才培养和学术水平给予了高度认可。”
如今，正在为博士入学作准备的他惊喜地发现，即将修读的首年课程中，有一半已经在广以的本科学习中完成。曾经艰难啃下的“硬骨头”，正成为他学术道路上的“敲门砖”。
申请过程中，元灏最为感激的是毕业校友们的倾囊相授。尽管远隔重洋，彼此相距十几个小时的时差，五湖四海的广以校友们对于母校的师弟师妹们“有求必应”。“在美国马里兰大学攻读数学博士学位的黄瑞禧师兄、直博斯坦福的黎依彤师姐等等，都热情地向我分享他们的经验和建议，也给了我在申直博项目时很大的勇气。”
在教授、师兄师姐和广以学习与生涯发展中心的老师指导帮助下，他在申请材料和面试的过程中全面展现了自己的科研态度、思维逻辑和学术素养，最终收获加州大学圣塔芭芭拉分校、南加州大学、哥伦比亚大学等世界名校的录取通知书，以兴趣与努力点亮数学梦想之路。
青年有梦，薪火相传。
从广以校园起步，
元灏满怀母校和校友们的祝福，
一路奔赴梦想的远方。
This summer, the Class of 2024 will graduate from Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT). Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic and the running difficulty of Sino-foreign university co-operation in the year they entered GTIIT, the determined students keep moving forward with the motto of "Dream it, do it". They write one and another encouraging stories upon the path of scientific dreams. Let's follow the interview series of 2024 graduates to uncover more in their pursuit of future.
Wang Yuanhao
GTIIT 2024 Graduate
High School: Weihai No.1 High School
Program: Mathematics with Computer Science (MCS)
Awards: Academic Excellence Awards (2019-2020, 2020-2021), GTIIT Dean's List (2021-2022, 2022-2023)
Offers: UC Santa Barbara, PhD in Statistics and Applied Probability; University of Southern California, Master of Applied Data Science; Columbia University, Master in Statistics
Navigate and Embrace Change
Influenced by his father, Yuanhao developed a strong interest in science and engineering since high school. After the college entrance examination, he and his parents set their sights on the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, renowned for its technology and entrepreneurship, and home to four Nobel laureates since the 20th century. As the China campus of the Technion, GTIIT focuses on science and engineering disciplines and emphasizes research and innovation, which aligns with his interests. Eventually, Yuanhao decided to major in GTIIT Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) program.
During his first year at GTIIT, Yuanhao found himself more interested in mathematics. In his view, mathematics is closely linked to other subjects as a foundational discipline. GTIIT MCS program's curriculum combines computer science, which can bring more opportunities for his academic and career development. After thorough consideration, he decided to switch to MCS program in his second year.
Transition to the MCS program was initially challenging for Yuanhao due to its rigorous and extensive curriculum. The MCS program was built with the concept of "advanced computer science problems grounded in profound mathematical knowledge". A multitude of abstract and profound definitions made Yuanhao realize that the methods he used to adopt targeting high school mathematics, such as memorization and abundant assignments, didn't work out for university-level math.
"Actually, I am not talented, but I am good at learning from others," Yuanhao said. He adopted a strategy from a classmate, namely, "learn math from understanding". "I spent most of my time understanding the definitions and theorems of each course, rather than on the exercise and assignments. And it works," he shared.
Frequently asking "why" is his biggest gain in GTIIT math learning. "I was inspired by a classmate when I was explaining a math problem to him. He asked me why the step was needed and I couldn't answer it at that time. However, I found his question very meaningful. Just ask more "why" when you learn something," said Yuanhao.
"Why is it defined in this way?" "Why did the author set this condition?" "How can we reach here with this condition?" Facing the complicated concepts and theories in textbooks, he gradually formed a habit of "self-inquiry" instead of simply memorizing. This approach aided in his abilities of in-depth analysis and logical thinking.
Yuanhao (first from the left)
in the summer school program
Grow through Thinking and Discussion
Yuanhao believed that GTIIT's MCS program has gathered many like-minded students who enjoy exploring knowledge. Besides, GTIIT's "problem-driven" teaching philosophy has fostered a vibrant academic environment for teachers and students to engage in open discussions freely.
In class, GTIIT teachers guide the students to ask questions, particularly good ones. After class, they provide office hour, ensuring every student has the chance for one-on-one communication.
Yuanhao (third from the left) with the teachers and classmates of MCS program
Yuanhao recalled, "in class, professors would slow down their pace to ensure we understand what they said and encourage us to voice our doubts. Initially, I was hesitant to speak up during office hour, but the professors remained supportive and patient. They listened to our questions and needs attentively. I can feel that they really enjoy discussing with students."
Immersed in such an international campus, Yuanhao's English ability has been greatly improved, preparing him well for the overseas academic study. Furthermore, he gradually mastered the learning methods of university mathematics and delved into advanced mathematics courses under the guidance of professors. His aspirations now lean towards further studies in applied mathematics, such as data science and statistics. In his view, graduates of these programs are welcomed by both academia and industry, and they usually enjoy promising career prospects.
Yuanhao was nervous when applying for postgraduate studies. As one of the first graduates in GTIIT MCS program, the process was like "crossing the river by feeling the stones". To his surprise, GTIIT's reputation as the China campus of the Technion was outstanding. "Although GTIIT is a young university, we have benefited from the strong alumni network of Technion. For example, many faculty and students at UCSB (one of his offers) are Technion alumni, and they highly recognize GTIIT's talent training and academic standards," Yuanhao explained.
Yuanhao was also surprised to find that half of the courses he is about to take in his first year of PHD have already been covered in his undergraduate studies at GTIIT. The once challenging credits now become the stepping stones on his academic path.
Yuanhao also extended his gratitude to GTIIT alumni for their help. Despite the geographical distance and time zone barriers, the alumni from all over the world were "always available" to him. "Our alumni, including Huang Ruixi and Li Yitong, who are pursuing PhD programs respectively at the University of Maryland and Stanford University, shared their experiences and advice with me. Their support also gave me a lot of courage," he shared.
With the assistance of GTIIT professors, alumni, and teachers from the GTIIT Career and Learning Center, Yuanhao successfully navigated his application and interview process, finally receiving offers from several prestigious research universities.
Setting sail from GTIIT, Yuanhao, like many other GTIIT graduates, is heading to his dream step by step.
GTIIT
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文/图：GTIIT传媒与公共事务部
Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs
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