A science and engineering student from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has been awarded a prestigious IEEE MTT-S Undergraduate/Pre-Graduate Scholarship by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S) in the US. He is among 10 students worldwide and the only one from Hong Kong to receive the honour this year.

Mr James Chen Xiaojun, a Year 3 student from CityU’s Department of Electronic Engineering, won the award for his outstanding project “A new technique that improves the efficiency of a linear power amplifier”. The major breakthrough is that the new technique will enhance battery performance in 3G mobile communication by more than five times without compromising signal transmission.

“Such an innovative project would not have been conceived without the inspiration, guidance and support from my supervisor and my mentor,” James said. Professor Chan Chi-hou, Chair Professor of Electronic Engineering and Dean of CityU’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Dr Kenji Yum Tsz-yin, an electronic engineering graduate who received an array of prizes and awards issued by IEEE and IEE while studying at CityU, are James’s supervisor and mentor, respectively. Dr Yum won many prizes under Professor Chan’s supervision.

James’s scholarship demonstrates CityU’s excellence in teaching and applied research in the field of electronic engineering and underscores the growing culture of care and support among faculty, students and alumni at the University and their rigorous efforts to create knowledge.

Before joining CityU, James was an undergraduate at Shanghai Jiaotong University. He applied to CityU’s Department of Electronic Engineering three years ago, having learned about its distinguished faculty and excellence in applied research. “I am most impressed by the caring relationship among the staff and students at the Department. The friendly people have helped me adapt quickly to life in Hong Kong,” James said.

“Despite their heavy administrative duties and work engagements, both my supervisor and my mentor have spent hours with me, regularly monitoring my progress. They are extremely supportive and I am very grateful to them,” he added.

James is no stranger to scholarships. He received an IEE Prize at CityU’s Scholarship Presentation Ceremony for Outstanding Students in April this year.

The IEEE MTT-S is a transnational society that promotes the advancement of microwave theory and its application. The objective for awarding scholarships this year was to attract undergraduates to the discipline of microwave and radio frequency and to encourage them to pursue further studies in this field.