Receiving a liberal arts education at UIC inspired Dong Shengkun to firmly step on the road of scientific research and helped him lay the foundations to become an associate professor in a renowned university in China.

Dong Shengkun

2011 ENVS graduate

Obtained a Master's Degree and a Doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Associate Professor of the School of Civil Engineering at Sun Yat-sen University

Dong Shengkun, who graduated from UIC's Environment Science (ENVS) Programme in 2011, continued his Master's and PhD studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), US. He then became the post-doctorate research associate at the Safe Global Water Institute (SGWI) of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) in UIUC.

Dong's main research field is water quality management. Many of his innovative research findings were adopted by the US Department of Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organisation, and other organisations. After going back to China, he assumed an associate professorship in the School of Civil Engineering at Sun Yat-sen University.

Starting his dream at UIC

Dong Shengkun became acquainted with the procedures and scientific research methods when studying at UIC through professional courses, laboratory research, and degree projects.

"The experimental experience during my undergraduate years allows me to understand the importance of paying attention to details and using our imagination," he said. "UIC also fostered us the mindset of science and engineering in the English-teaching context."

UIC's liberal arts education emphasised interactions between teachers and students, closely connecting Dong Shengkun with teachers. "I often had discussions with my teachers when doing assignments, and they were always very patient with my everlasting questions." Although over ten years have passed, he still remembers his teachers' names and support.

Dong Shengkun (right) and his teacher Dr Bonny Yuen

Now Dong Shengkun often recalls his time at UIC. "In university, in addition to gaining knowledge, we also need to learn how to communicate with others," he said. In his opinion, the unique opportunities that UIC offers, such as the high table dinners and summer programmes, help students broaden their horizons and form an optimistic mental outlook.

Dong Shengkun (first from left) in graduation photograph

Following his heart and being engaged in scientific research

For Dong Shengkun, the curiosity of scientific study was intrigued by the liberal arts education, so he followed his heart and decided to do scientific research. He takes an interest in reading research reports and discovering new perspectives.

It would be a great encouragement for him to see his research results being applied to the industry. For instance, farmers from Chicago use his research findings to secure water when adopting soilless culture technology to grow vegetables. This sense of achievement motivates him to stick to scientific research.

Dong Shengkun took samples at a farm in Chicago

Dong Shengkun points out that scientific research in colleges and universities focuses on making social and economic benefits and deepening our understanding of the world.

Dong Shengkun (first from right) investigated and surveyed in Shenzhen, China

He suggests that students who want to participate in scientific research adjust anticipation based on their capabilities, for the technology bottleneck may be too challenging to tackle.

Moreover, he thinks that we shouldn't define what is useful or useless according to the existing ideas at the beginning of the research. "As long as it's a good idea, it will bring positive effect eventually."

Reporter: Wang Qianhan

Photos provided by the interviewee and the ENVS programme

Editors: Covee Wang, Deen He