PostTime：4/10/2026
In 2026, the sixth cohort of undergraduate graduates from Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) is ready to set sail. Armed with the knowledge and courage bestowed by their alma mater, and guided by the belief of "Dream it. Do it.", they have etched their youth in constant exploration and breakthrough. Let us step into their stories, and witness how they take action as wings to wider skies.
Name: Fang Zirui
High School: Hefei No.7 High School
Program: Mathematics with Computer Science (MCS)
Awards:
GTIIT Chancellor's Scholarship
GTIIT Program Head's List Scholarship
Offers: (TOEFL: 105)
Columbia University
New York University
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Southern California
University of California, San Diego
With admission offers from world-renowned universities such as Columbia University, New York University, and the University of California, Los Angeles, Zirui said: "I'm so glad I chose GTIIT for MCS. It was the right decision." He summed up his university experience as "exploring real life and opening the door to the world". "University is more than textbooks," he said. "There are so many real-world, diverse things to explore. Coming to an international campus like GTIIT helped me step into the wider world, experience different cultures, and broaden my horizons."
Focus on mathematics and fall in love with it
After studying at GTIIT, Zirui discovered that mathematics in university is entirely different from the exam-oriented math taught in high school. In his view, high school math was about repetitive problem-solving, mastering methods, and mechanical learning. University mathematics, however, delves into essence and reveals the laws of the world. "More importantly, university mathematics connects directly to real-world applications—when combined with computer science, it can be used in finance, data science, risk modeling, and other fields. It has both fundamental depth and practical productivity—that's the immense charm of mathematics."
In his eyes, the curriculum of MCS program at GTIIT emphasizes essence. While it may not be directly aimed at any specific application field, it builds a solid foundation that offers more choices and flexibility in the future. Students can join research projects in other departments, providing assistance at the code and data level, thereby empowering other industries or disciplines—this is one of the greatest advantages of mathematics and computer science. He noted that research resources in the MCS department are abundant. During the third year, there are projects for students to choose from, but the key is taking the initiative to contact professors and explore areas of interest. He began preparing for it in his second year, and during his third year, worked with professors on two projects: one in graph theory and another in computer science, focusing on debugging programming languages.
Zirui admitted he is not a gifted student and faced many difficulties during his first year. "My mindset was a bit relaxed back then," he said, "but later I gradually calmed down, spent more time studying, and communicated more with professors. That's when I found my own rhythm." He believed the greatest challenge in learning mathematics is being able to settle your mind. "Don't label yourself. If you're restless, you won't be able to learn." He observed that some classmates gave up because they found math too hard or didn't perform well on a few exams. "But looking back, those who persisted and studied step by step—even if their grades weren't outstanding at first—ended up with excellent application results. Those who gave up halfway lost more in time cost." In his view, anyone can learn mathematics and computer science well; the key is to settle down and develop a genuine passion for it.
He summarized his major as "some things are useful now, some will be useful in the future." Topology uses the most abstract and beautiful structural language to explore the unity of the world. Probability uncovers patterns in chaos and uncertainty. Data structures and combinatorial algorithms reveal the beauty of structure and logic. Studying math at GTIIT made him fall more in love with the subject.
Build resilience and grow with support
He believed that the two most important qualities cultivated at GTIIT are resilience and the ability to interact with people. Every stage of university presents different challenges and difficulties, especially the initial adjustment period. "But if you stay resilient, you can always solve the problems."
"GTIIT has an elite-oriented education. The campus is not big, so interpersonal interaction is even more important. We need to connect more with senior students and like-minded friends, and progress together." He particularly emphasized the importance of communicating with professors. "The professors at GTIIT are very patient. Talking with them can solve most academic and personal problems." In his first year, when academic pressure came to him, he reached out to Department Head Prof. Eli, academic advisor Prof. Paulo, and instructor Prof. Maria. "They kept encouraging me, offered practical and valuable advice, and strengthened my confidence to move forward."
"GTIIT itself is the greatest resource." Whether it's the professors, alumni around the world, or the university's name, he felt a significant advantage when applying to graduate schools. "During the application process, the name Technion - Israel Institute of Technology is itself a resource—no further explanation is needed." Before applying, he personally visited the United States to meet some alumni, who gave him campus tours and stayed in frequent online contact.
Stay open and embrace changes
Regarding the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for MCS students, his attitude is clear:"Stay open-minded and don't cling to old ways. Learning your courses well right now is very important, but you also need to keep an eye on the times." He is not anxious at all; instead, he wants to embrace change. "AI can basically solve all undergraduate-level math and computer science problems. You can't compete with AI in learning ability." He believes that students should cultivate interpersonal skills and become interdisciplinary talents. He chose statistics as his master's major because it encompasses AI, finance, mathematical logic, computer science, and data science—aligning with his personality of pursuing breadth.
Looking back on the past four years, he summed up his mental journey with four characters: confusion, community, solitude, and enlightenment. As a freshman, he was "confused", joining clubs, attending lectures, and exploring everywhere. In the second stage, he found like-minded friends and formed a "community" to strive together. The third stage was learning to be in "solitude", setting aside time and space to think. The fourth stage was enhancing "enlightenment", deeply reflecting on his experiences, the information he encountered, and the gains from interacting with others.
He is a member of MCS soccer team. "Playing sports is the most natural, happiest, and most convenient way to make new friends." He plays matches alongside professors and has met many lovely friends through it. "It keeps me from feeling lonely."
When asked what kind of students are suitable for GTIIT, his answer is brief and powerful:"It's the same everywhere. Those who can cultivate strong, independent thinking can stand on their own. That is the foundation of survival—an objective law that does not bend to human will." He values critical thinking:"The world is changing rapidly, and voices are numerous and loud. But loudness and quantity don't mean truth or correctness. It is crucial to seek truth from facts, follow laws, and think systematically."
Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs, Fang Zirui
