For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to help people, so I took a step toward my dream by pursuing Biomedical Engineering at CUHK. Unlike doctors who help patients directly, we are behind the scenes creating and developing tools aiding them so that medical professionals can provide the best service possible.
With the kind help of the Biomedical Engineering Department, my summers were always busy either getting trained at the Prince of Wales Hospital or conducting research on robotics for biomedical applications. During the summer of my junior year, I was grateful for a chance to be a part of the joint research conducted by CUHK, the University of Sydney, and the Australian Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
Being one of the very few Kyrgyz students in Hong Kong, there still were times when I was struggling and felt homesick, despite the warm welcome. Knowing through my own experience what difficulties and fears a freshman hold, I have joined the Central Asian Association, a platform for Central Asian students, to help incoming freshmen to adapt to Hong Kong and CUHK. We organized various activities and gatherings within our community, but we have also actively introduced and promoted our culture through events, including Nowruz Night, film screenings, and workshops. I was extremely honoured and grateful to have an opportunity to share my traditions and culture with others.
I believe that one’s achievements do not define one. Similarly, my achievements are not simply the result of my hard work but are also a reflection of the support I received and the opportunities life presented me with, for which I am always grateful. With the tremendous help of my department and university, I have started my Ph.D. journey in Biomedical Engineering, hoping to utilize my knowledge and discoveries to help the community.