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Nobel Prize winner Chen Ning Yang gives a talk at UM

1:binary?id=xL_2BV0VFGYaRQHR4x456aWQkyVZs6CuG7YDkM4VkDK8Gel9Tsfn5Adg_3D_3D:Prof. Chen Ning Yang’s talk “My Experience as Student and Researcher”
Prof. Chen Ning Yang’s talk “My Experience as Student and Researcher”
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2:binary?id=xL_2BV0VFGYaRQHR4x456aWQkyVZs6CuG7tp2_2BsXba4Nh9uAkInUP5IQ_3D_3D:A full-house audience
A full-house audience
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3:binary?id=xL_2BV0VFGYaRQHR4x456aWQkyVZs6CuG7zpNzXg_2B9hbJUeb3W7ys7bpYVo0qj4_2Bar:A dialogue session between Prof. Chen Ning Yang and students
A dialogue session between Prof. Chen Ning Yang and students
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4:binary?id=xL_2BV0VFGYaRQHR4x456aWQkyVZs6CuG7LFcKogHjkxX1YfKfX4OOwQ_3D_3D:Live broadcast in a classroom
Live broadcast in a classroom
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Prof. Chen Ning Yang, the first Chinese winner of the Nobel Prize and a renowned physicist, gave a talk entitled “My Experience as Student and Researcher” at the University of Macau (UM) on 21 February. The talk attracted a full-house audience consisting of UM teachers, students and the general public. UM also arranged live broadcast in a classroom and on the intranet due to continued requests to register for the lecture after it was fully booked.

The talk was chaired by UM Rector Wei Zhao, who praised Prof. Yang for his internationally acclaimed academic achievements and said he is the pride of all Chinese people. Wei Zhao expressed his hope that the talk could increase the students’ understanding of the world and give them new inspiration.

Prof. Yang began the talk by sharing his early learning experiences. He talked about his discovery of the translated Chinese version of The Mysterious Universe in a library when he was in secondary school. The book introduced him to the intriguing world of physics and set him on a path that would eventually become his career and gain him international recognition. His study was interrupted when the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out. Despite never having received any formal education in physics, the self-taught young man passed an examination that recognised equivalent academic qualifications and was admitted to the Southwest Associated University’s Department of Chemistry. Later he transferred to the Department of Physics, and went on to pursue a PhD degree at the University of Chicago under a government-sponsored programme.

Prof. Yang pointed out that the best opportunity for learning is when one’s intuitions contradict knowledge gained from books. He added that having discussions with classmates could help one achieve deep understanding. He advised the students to place more emphasis on new phenomena and new methods than on knowledge gained from books.

Drawing on his experience as a researcher, Prof. Yang noted that it is very common for a postgraduate student to feel frustrated when trying to find a good subject for his or her thesis. He encouraged the students to be well-informed, to search for their own thesis topics and research partners, and to put in more effort in research preparation. Prof. Yang also mentioned the three necessary stages for any research work: interest, preparation and breakthrough. He encouraged the students to find their interests and pursue them.

Before the talk, UM organised a dialogue session for students from Macao and Zhuhai to talk to Prof. Yang face to face. The Nobel Prize winner answered questions from the students about scientific research. A student said it was an invaluable opportunity to talk to Prof. Yang and found his words very inspiring.

Should you have any enquiries about the press release, please feel free to contact Ms. Albee Lei or Ms. Kristy Fok at(853)8397 4325 or prs.media@um.edu.mo or visit UM webpage www.umac.mo.


21/02/2014