International student pursues studies with dreams and persistence

Editor's Note: Cheng Lin Pua (潘政麟) is a Malaysian student majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the School of Mechanical Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He won the Shanghai Government Scholarship , third prize of the 7th China National College Students Competition on Energy Economy and also SJTU Mechanical Senior Design Project Excellent Prize 2022. He was a member of the Malaysian Alumni Association in Shanghai, and a member of the presidium of the International Students Association of the School of Mechanical Engineering. He has written 10 academic papers/publications, one book and more than 130 articles.

Seek roots and dreams

Cheng Lin Pua, whose Chinese name is 潘政麟, is a Malaysian student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and his ancestral home is in South China’s Hainan Province. At the age of 12, Pua followed his grandfather back to Hainan Island to "seek his roots". At that time, he was amazed by China's development and made a wish to come to Shanghai, one of the most developed cities in China, to pursue his studies and gain a deeper understanding of the country.

In 2018, Pua received his admission letter from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and became one of the students at the School of Mechanical Engineering.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University is one of the most prestigious universities in China and has a long history. The university's profound cultural heritage, long-standing tradition, and long development history, especially its achievements since China's reform and opening up, have attracted attention both at home and abroad.

Work hard in scientific research

The history of the School of Mechanical Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University dates back to 1913. For a hundred years, the School has cultivated a large number of first-class talents.

At the top university, Pua spent more time than many others studying after class, and actively participated in scientific research projects in the hope of improving himself through practice.

The first project Pua participated in was a PRP (SJTU Participation in Research Program) project of a hydrogen safety simulation analysis in the second semester of his first college year. With great interest in hydrogen research, he also participated in the PRP project of a hydrogen safety simulation analysis of a hydrogen refueling station later.

In his junior year, thanks to his previous accumulation of knowledge and experience, Pua participated in the project of a Simulation of an Offshore Launch Platform Filling and Emission System in cooperation with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Pua built a model based on the latest offshore launch platform data provided by the AVIC to conduct a hydrogen explosion simulation analysis. According to the analysis, suggestions were made to improve the safety factors and reduce risks. Pua wrote a paper on above results tilted Simulation Analysis of Protective Wall against Hydrogen Combustion from Liquified Hydrogen Storage Tank on the Offshore Launching Platform as the first author, which has currently been submitted to the journal. Moreover, Pua has wrote several papers, some has been accepted by journal (Simulation and Experimental Comparison of Hydrogen Confined Space Explosion with 10% Hydrogen Concentration, accepted by journal aim to publish on December 2022) and some are currently under review (Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study of Hydrogen Gas Combustion in a Confined Space). Throughout these projects, Pua has written totally of 5 academic papers. Currently, Pua is also working with his PRP mentor on a review paper which is mainly about the current status of CFD tools applied in simulating the hydrogen dispersion accidents (consider the sixth academic papers).

Pua also had an interest in the energy storage industry, and participated in the PRP project of Prospects for the Development of the Energy Storage Industry, in which he studied current energy storage industrial policies and the current situation. One of his articles, Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: Who Will Drive to China's Future, won third prize in the 7th China National College Students Competition on the Energy Economy. The article was then modified and published on Energy Review. Pua also contributed two articles[2,3], which publish on SJTU Antai College website. One academic paper also aim to publish on end of 2022 year.

Every SJTUers has to participate in Final Year Project. Pua also get involved in a machine learning project (welding quality control of resistance spot-welding based on finite element simulation and machine learning), sponsored by and corporate with SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd.. Pua’s team was awarded SJTU Mechanical Senior Design Project Excellent Prize in June 2022. Currently, Pua and his teammates are writing a paper and wish to publish on journal.

All-round development

Pua is a student of all-round development. He has served as a volunteer for a number of activities and conferences, including the Shanghai International Marathon and the 2019 International Conference on Mechanical Engineering Education, which allowed him to access to the forefront of global machinery.

Pua is also a core member of the Malaysian Alumni Association in Shanghai, and a member of the twenty-four rhythm drum association of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In the Malaysian Alumni Association in Shanghai, he has organized a variety of activities, in which he has gained experience and strengthened his leadership skills.

Photo with other members of the twenty-four rhythm drum association

In addition, he is also a member of the International Students Association of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which was established in 2018. Working for the student association, he helped organize the welcome party for freshmen, the kite festival, the folk music experience class, the academic sharing session, and the partnership project, building a bridge between Chinese and foreign cultures and help international students better adapt to life in China.

Shanghai is a city with lots of opportunities, just like China's New York. The first time Pua heard of Tesla was in 2019 (Tesla has a factory in Shanghai, start building around 2019). He was attracted by Tesla , Elon Musk and eventually invested in Tesla. Moreover, Pua started his first internship in RS Components in 2019. Due to excellent performance, Pua was awarded two business trips to London (July 2022) and Frankfurt Germany (January 2020). Pua was also invited by 01 Research Institute for article writing (currently has wrote more than 130 articles). One book (invited by colleagues) is currently under writing which aim to launch in 2023. Shanghai is a city with lots of opportunities, Pua feels very glad that he enrolled SJTU and exposed to lots of opportunities.

Never give up

The COVID-19 Pandemic broke out globally in February 2020, when Pua returned to Malaysia for Chinese New Year. Starting from the second semester of his sophomore year, Pua had to take classes online.

He said he once wanted to drop out of school, but he got through all the difficulties. He said this experience will be of great help in the future.

No matter how many setbacks one encounters, as long as he never gives up, he will achieve his goals, he added.

Finishing his undergraduate studies, Pua applied for an international postgraduate program at the School of Mechanical Engineering. With dreams and persistence, he strives to be a dreamer who has the courage to make breakthroughs.

The experience has broadened my horizons and enabled me to witness China's rapid development and major achievements, he said.