Powered by Perseverance: TJU Alumni Driving China’s AI Frontier

In the rapidly advancing AI landscape, Nebula Coder-V6, a cutting-edge large language model developed by ZTE Corporation, has emerged as a key player. Behind this model is a team of young engineers and scientists, including core members who trace their academic roots back to Tianjin University. Among them, Wu Qi, a 2021 master's graduate from the College of Intelligence and Computing, now serves as a team lead and technical driving force behind Nebula's core algorithm development.

Wu Qi's rise in the industry has been marked by persistence, clarity of thought, and a strong foundation built during his years at Tianjin University. As a graduate student, Wu specialized in the practical application of AI algorithms. He distinguished himself through top honors in numerous international competitions, including SIGIR, IEEE-CIS, and ICCV challenges, and received the prestigious National Scholarship and the MSRA Star of Tomorrow Award. These accolades, however, were not the end goal but stepping stones in a journey defined by long hours, intellectual rigor, and a deep desire to turn abstract research into real-world solutions.

Another key figure in the Nebula team, Pan Ting, a 2023 master's graduate from the same college, is responsible for the model's fine-tuning. Like Wu, Pan embodies "Seeking Truth from Facts" spirit of Tianjin University, combining scientific rigor with engineering precision to push the boundaries of applied AI. Together, they represent a new generation of researchers shaped by a tradition of deep inquiry and hands-on innovation.

Professor Wang Wenjun, Wu's graduate advisor, recalls him as a student of quiet confidence, with a habit of thinking deeply before speaking and a genuine passion for solving complex problems. Upon graduation, Wu joined ZTE's Tianjin R&D Center through the elite "Blue Sword Program," quickly becoming an indispensable member of the AI division. In just six months, he led a major technical upgrade of the Nebula model, significantly enhancing its code reasoning performance and positioning it among China's most competitive AI systems.

Reflecting on his time at TJU, Wu noted, "From Weijin Road to Peiyangyuan Campus, those six years not only gave me a solid grounding in mathematics and computing, but more importantly, shaped my way of thinking. The university taught me how to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and pursue ideas to their limits."

With graduation season underway, Wu offers heartfelt advice to TJU's newest alumni:“You're already standing on a platform that gives you access to the future. Artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of society. This is our golden era. But it demands courage, resilience, and self-discipline. Don't shy away from difficult choices. Growth often begins where comfort ends."

He adds, "At ZTE, we're always looking for young minds who carry the Tianjin University spirit, strong fundamentals, creative thinking, and the grit to tackle the unknown. I look forward to seeing more TJU names shining among the stars of China's AI journey."

By: Qin Mian