From Being Inspired to Lighting the Way

SHWE PHYU SIN MOE, an international undergraduate student majoring in chemical engineering at Tianjin University, comes from Myanmar. Of Chinese-Myanmar mixed heritage, she grew up in a small town where there were no schools offering Chinese-language education. Burmese was her mother tongue, and she had little opportunity to study Chinese systematically as a child. Driven by her cultural bond and passion for science and engineering, she decided to pursue higher education in China at Tianjin University, a leading university with a long history.

Tianjin University was her top choice. Fascinated by mathematics and chemistry, she sees chemical engineering as a discipline that draws on both subjects to address real-world challenges. "I chose Tianjin University for its outstanding reputation in chemical engineering, world-class faculty and research facilities," she said. Upon arrival, she was impressed by the sprawling campus, advanced laboratories and dedicated faculty members. What stood out to her most was the inclusive and supportive academic environment. Professors offered constant encouragement, while students supported one another across nationalities. This helped her overcome the challenges of language barriers and a demanding workload and thrive academically.

Over the past year, her approach to learning has evolved from simply completing assignments to applying engineering knowledge to solve practical problems. Serving as student director of the International Student Science and Technology Competition Department, she organized and took part in multiple academic events. As team captain, she led Tianjin University's international student team in the 20th National College Student Chemical Engineering Design Competition. She took charge of key tasks including process simulation, reactor and column equipment design, and calculations using SW6. After six months of intensive work and repeated process optimization, her cross-cultural team won the Grand Special Prize at the national final.

She credits her progress to the dedicated faculty members who provided guidance and support along the way. She hopes to serve as a bridge between China and Myanmar. She believes that she can apply the engineering expertise she has gained in China and sustainable design ideas to support the development of Myanmar's industry and infrastructure.

Her journey—from a small town in Myanmar to Tianjin, and from struggling with a new language to winning a national-level award—offers a glimpse into the growth and experiences of international students at Tianjin University. Through science and dedication, she hopes to build bridges of friendship and help light the way toward a brighter future.

By Yu Boyang