A student from the Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has secured a research internship at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in China, marking another step for UTM at the international stage. The opportunity arose through a combination of proactive networking and strategic institutional support, providing a valuable pathway for students to gain global research experience.
Tin Qi Jie, a Year 3 student from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, is currently undergoing an international internship with the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute (TDLI) at SJTU. The placement is under the guidance of postdoctoral researcher Dr. Iwan Morton-Blake and Principal Investigator, Assoc. Prof. Xu Donglian, as part of their work on the TRIDENT neutrino telescope project. This internship provides an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge field. Throughout the internship, she has been directly involved in simulation events, improving reconstruction methods, and performing data analysis.
According to Qi Jie, this valuable opportunity was first identified at the PERFIK national physics conference, organized by the Institute of Physics Malaysia (IFM). Her supervisor, Dr. Koh Meng Hock from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, UTM, encouraged Qi Jie to approach Dr. Iwan Morton Blake after hearing about the TRIDENT project. Following this initial connection, Dr. Koh provided crucial assistance with the necessary paperwork and connected the student with key personnel at SJTU. To secure funding for the internship, Qi Jie successfully applied for a student mobility grant from the School of Undergraduate Studies (UGS), a process that included a formal interview. An official offer from Shanghai Jiao Tong University was subsequently issued.
Qi Jie’s research focuses on the TRIDENT project, an ambitious neutrino telescope still under construction. The work is highly significant as it aims to improve data collection and analysis for the upcoming first phase of the detector. The experience of mastering high-level physics simulations and data analysis not only enhances the student’s academic knowledge but also contributes directly to the development of this major international scientific collaboration. The results and methods from this project are expected to be applied directly to the neutrino telescope for its upcoming phase, with the student continuing to work with the TRIDENT team to complete their final year. While in Shanghai, Qi Jie has not only delved into the technical aspects of the research but has also collaborated with a diverse group of interns from institutions such as Imperial College London, the University of Warwick, and Tsinghua University. This exchange of knowledge, research strategies, and cultural perspectives has allowed her to adapt to a global professional environment.
“This internship has opened my eyes to the dynamic nature of international research,” Qi Jie said. “Every experiment requires careful planning, critical thinking, and patience, and this has made me more confident in facing research challenges.”
For Qi Jie, this experience is a crucial stepping stone in building a future career. She aims to leverage this international research experience in their Final Year Project and aspires to pursue postgraduate studies in physics. The internship has instilled the confidence that with the right guidance and continuous effort, students from UTM can compete on the global stage. Qi Jie expressed gratitude to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, particularly the School of Undergraduate Studies (UGS), and to the supervisors, Dr. Koh Meng Hock, Dr. Iwan Morton Blake, and Assoc. Prof. Xu Donglian, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the placement. She also thanked her family, friends, and the academic community for their continuous moral support. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shafinaz Shahir, Dean of the Faculty of Science, is also gratefully acknowledged for her continuous support to all students undergoing the international internship program.
“My advice to other students is to be brave enough to step out of your comfort zone and embrace every new challenge with an open heart. We will never truly know our own strength until we are challenged to pursue our dreams. Always be ready for new experiences and global challenges, because that is where we will find our true potential,” Qi Jie added.
This experience is hoped to inspire more students from UTM to pursue international opportunities, achieve excellence in their respective fields, and ultimately contribute back to the nation. With strategic collaborations, international-level research opportunities, and continuous guidance from the academic staff, this experience proves that UTM students have great potential to become the future leaders, able to compete at the global level.
