Name: Isaac Kwaku Attatsi
Country: Ghana
Major: Environmental Science & Engineering
Degree:Ph.D
Research field: Clean Energy Chemistry
My Experience as a student in Jiangsu University,for that matter School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
I was overwhelmed when I was admitted to one of the most prestigious universities in China for that matter Jiangsu University to read a PhD programme in Environmental Science and Engineering. I set off from Ghana and arrived safely to China enroute Zhenjiang to the School campus. My first night experience made me felt at home which indicates am at the most welcomed place.
The smell and taste of Chinese cuisines on campus are much to desire. The spicy, oily, fruity and all kinds of foods were available at cheap cost sold at the school’s canteens. I ate them to my satisfaction and this was the first time having the taste of delicious Chinese meals. This was the beginning of a new day of my life in China.
Prior to my course studies, I was warmly received by my supervisors in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering where I was introduced to other members of our research group. I was informed my laboratory work begins the following week which sounded absurd to me since I thought my first year was going to be purely course study and lectures. At the onset this was difficult for me but within a matter of time I became used to it and always yearn to be in the laboratory. The spirit of hard work became part of me from that day since I know what my achievement will be when I work hard and obtain good experimental results. In addition, the lovely reception from my supervisors and laboratory colleagues made it that at every point in time I want to be in lab preforming experimental works and analysis.
Time management is something I came to learn in Jiangsu University with respect to my teachers and Chinese laboratory mates. There was no point in time either my teacher or laboratory mates were late to class or laboratory. This culture of been on time engulfed me of which from today I’ve always become time conscious. This made it easier for me to conduct both class and laboratory works well without any stress.
My experiences in the laboratory and research field is much to desire. I came to meet instruments I was not familiar with such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer (NMR), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), Raman spectrometer, electrochemical workstation (CHI 730D) and others. I was also introduced to the papers/ articles published from our research group. Frankly, I was scared and doubted if I could also do this. After series of discussions with my supervisors relating to my proposed research, I got motivated and told myself I can make it. I am proud to say I am one of the outstanding students from our research team owing to the can-do spirit inculcated in me by my supervisors, Prof Zhu Weihua and Prof Xu Liang.
My ability to quickly learn and follow the laboratory protocols and experiments accompanied with strong theoretical background emboldened me to participate in 8th SINO-foreign Postgraduate Academic Forum of Jiangsu University in 2018 where I came out with flying colours. I received two awards. The “best oral presenter” award and “excellent paper award”. I also attended an international porphyrin and phthalocyanine conference organized by both School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Jiangsu University in 2018, at Mindu Hotel as a participant.
Not only did I limit myself into laboratory works but I was deeply involved in other engagements by the university where I served as either a foundation school teacher in Chemistry and also a teaching assistant as stipulated below where I got additional experience in teaching students of diverse academic background, culture and race.
Fun time with Lab mates 8th SINO Postgraduate awards night 2019