Chinese students blossoming in Canada

Shi Wei, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Laval University, discusses his research project on high-speed fi bre designs at his lab in Quebec City. PHOTOS BY NA LI / CHINA DAILY

For Canadian universities, research is central to their mission. A full 25 percent of Canada's research capacity is found in its universities, a higher proportion than most others countries, and the country's universities employ about one-third of the nation's PhDs.

Many Chinese students have benefited from Canada's robust educational system and research resources, before and after graduation.

"We have a very open system here in Canada with lots of support from the government which promotes research and encourages researchers to work closely with industry partners," said Shi Wei, an assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering at Laval University in Quebec. "With the strong research programs we do get grants."

Originally from China, Shi said Canada is an accommodating multi-cultural society and as a Chinese, he has felt very comfortable first studying and later working at Canadian universities.

"I don't feel any difference with people from other countries. I don't see any difference in nationality or race," said Shi, who graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2012 and did a year of research at Guelph University in Ontario.

Shi is now looking into high-speed fibre designs and applications at Laval. The 35-year-old professor has received more than $5 million in research funding in collaboration with other professors.

Liu Fengjie, a post doctoral fellow at INRS's Eau Terre Environment Research Centre under Professor Peter GC Campbell, a leading authority on water and environmental studies, said Canada offers many opportunities in scientific research.

Fengjie came to Canada in 2014 and said over past three years he has been able to focus on lab research almost 100 percent.

"This is a perfect place for doing science and the professors give me lots of freedom to develop my own ideas and they help me develop my career," Fengjie said. "My work here is recognized by British academia and I have got a new job offer from there."

Fengjie also hopes to go back to China and work, as the Chinese government is committed to improving the environment. "This is a great opportunity for me to develop my career back home," he said.

Jiang Jinglu, a PhD candidate in the IT department of HEC Montreal Business School and a fourth year student in a joint program with McGill and Concordia universities, is also benefitting from the abundant resources in her field.

"I am doing information technology studies," she said. "My supervisor has only a few students and so has more time for us with regards to training and research skills. Here there's a more condensed way of training with a very good knowledge foundation in what we can do academically."

She said lots of financial support from schools and the government is available here, even for international students.