A LETTER FROM HARBIN

Oleksii Shevtsov (pictured second from the right), a graduate of our department, received a full scholarship from the Government of the People’s Republic of China in 2017 for four years of postgraduate study at Harbin Institute of Technology. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, and a stipend.

Today, the Harbin Institute of Technology, founded in 1920, is a multidisciplinary university and research institution covering engineering, natural sciences, management, humanities, and law. It is a member of the C9 League—China’s equivalent of the Ivy League. According to the US News ranking, the university is among the top 10 engineering schools in the world. Our department’s faculty fondly remembers Oleksii and stays interested in his progress.

A WORD FROM OLEKSII:

“Warm greetings to all my fellow polytechnicians! I want to send my best regards to the teachers of my home department and to the researchers at the Laboratory of Functional Ceramics and Protective Composite Coatings.

During my time studying in China (postgraduate program), I’ve significantly improved my proficiency in foreign languages (Chinese and English), gained experience living and studying in another country, and made new friends. I’m currently studying Chinese at the preparatory faculty. My first semester was relatively easy with few classes, but all were conducted in Chinese (in our group of 60 students, only 3 are international). At first, I couldn’t understand anything—I had to translate and memorize everything after class. But now, the exams are behind me, and I’m continuing to study Chinese intensively, even taking extra lessons. It’s still difficult, but I can already communicate on basic topics. Although it’s not easy, it’s incredibly fascinating!

My academic supervisor, Prof. Y.J. Wang, is involved in developing new ceramic and composite materials. His research interests include refractory mixtures with a metal matrix, ultra-high-temperature ceramics, and boron nitride-containing composites. He also focuses on low-temperature processing and heat treatment of composite materials. I’m interested in working with high-entropy oxide mixtures, and my supervisor supports this pursuit. I have access to state-of-the-art laboratories—something many researchers dream about. I’ve already participated in several international forums and congresses, which has allowed me to connect with scientists from around the world.

And all this became possible thanks to the excellent teachers I had and the education I received at the Department of Ceramic, Refractory, Glass, and Enamel Technology at NTU ‘KhPI’. That’s where I gained invaluable experience and knowledge, which has already come in handy many times. Those were amazing student years that I will never forget!”

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