(Correspondent:Jinghao Zhang)
On December 3rd, 2025, invited by Prof. Shao Jingai, Professor Lam Su Shiung from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu delivered a lecture titled “International Networking & Research Collaboration-My Experience, Lessons & Practice” at the West 12th Building of HUST. Professor Lam addressed core topics such as upholding engineering ethics, pathways for international development, and collaborative innovation among industry, academia, and research institutes. Professor Lam offered guidance for the graduate students’ academic development and injected strong momentum into their future research and career development.
At the outset of the lecture, Professor Lam took his own research experience as a starting point, quickly engaged the students. When talking about shaping the right mindset at the initial stage of scientific research, he shared that breakthroughs in the field of research often start with small acts of courage, and one should not shrink back due to lack of resources or limited horizons in the early days. Continuous in-depth study, accumulation of knowledge, and willingness to help others are three indispensable elements on the path of scientific research. He emphasized that researchers must adhere to the bottom line of integrity and goodwill, uphold a rigorous and pragmatic academic attitude, and always abide by the norms of research ethics while pursuing academic innovation.
In the section on international academic exchanges, Professor Lam offered concrete suggestions. He proposed that a solid academic foundation is the prerequisite for conducting international cooperation, advising students to start with small and medium-sized cooperative projects, actively participate in various international academic exchange activities, and maintain cooperative relations through regular communication. He particularly suggested that students could first establish connections with peers in their own region, take the initiative to integrate into the international academic community, efficiently access high-quality global resources, broaden their international horizons through continuous deepening of academic network construction, thereby enhancing cross-cultural collaboration capabilities and stimulating innovative inspiration in global academic interactions.
Regarding the topic of industry-university-research collaborative innovation, Professor Lam emphasized that the core value of scientific research lies in practical application. He advised students to start with small-scale projects that address real-world problems and build a long-term, trusted cooperative ecosystem with a sincere and reliable work style. He mentioned that industry-university-research cooperation can not only provide practical support for scientific research breakthroughs but also bring warmth and companionship to the research journey, making the pursuit of science less lonely. He introduced the core principle of "altruism," noting that by proactively creating value and maintaining good character, researchers can become sought-after collaborators and open doors to more development opportunities.
The lecture was both substantive and highly relevant. It not only reinforced the students’ awareness of engineering ethics but also charted a clear path for their international growth. For graduate students at the beginning of their research careers, it will enable them to approach academic inquiry with greater standardization and a more open mindset, thereby contributing to the high-quality development of scientific research at HUST.
This lecture attracted students from a wide range of academic disciplines. In addition to first-year postgraduate students from the School of Energy and Power Engineering, active participants included those from over ten other schools and departments, including students from more than ten other schools and departments, such as the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, School of Computer Science and Technology, School of Electronic Information and Communications, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation.
Professor Lam Su Shiung holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, UK. Currently, he serves as a professor at the Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. His research expertise covers thermochemical processes, waste treatment, and biomass refining, with a particular focus on the application of pyrolysis and microwave heating technologies. He is currently dedicated to converting biomass and waste into biochar and biofuel products. Professor Lam has secured over 20 research grants, filed multiple patents, founded spin-off companies, and successfully commercialized innovations developed by his research team. He and his team have published more than 200 academic papers in internationally authoritative journals such as Nature, Science, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, and Applied Catalysis B: Environmental.
