Rose Yan Pei, a 2007 MPhil graduate from the Department of Physics and Materials Science of City University of Hong Kong (CityU), has been awarded a fully-funded research studentship to pursue PhD studies at Cambridge University in the UK.

The three-year studentship, amounting to more than HK$1 million, is sponsored by Arcelor Mittal, one of the world's largest steel manufacturers, as part of the collaboration between Cambridge University and the industry. Rose is the first Hong Kong student to receive this studentship.

A high level of expertise is required to solve problems arising from the fabrication of steel components during manufacturing and construction. During her three years at CityU, Rose focused her research on cold spray coating onto metal. This is a novel method which is expected to prove practical and useful for the manufacturing and construction industries, saving costs and improving the integrity and reliability of steel components and structures.

Rose credits CityU for its role in her success. "The strong academic background of CityU's teaching staff, and their research experience has benefited me greatly. In addition, the advanced facilities at the department allowed me to conduct my research in a well-established environment," she said.

To enrich her experience, Rose was sent to Oxford University in the UK to work on the electron microscopy of metals for one month under the Research Activity Fund provided by CityU's Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies. Her experiences at CityU and Oxford contributed to her winning the studentship as they are relevant and useful to her current research work.

Rose is now at the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy in Cambridge University, working on her PhD project, "High frequency induction welding and induction heat treatment of steel pipes". Induction welding is an advanced technology that uses electrical and magnetic effects to heat metals so as to join two surfaces together.

Professor Joseph Lai Ki-leuk, Chair Professor of Materials Science in CityU's Department of Physics and Materials Science, praised Rose as a diligent and bright student. "It is very rare for overseas students to receive studentships offered by multinational corporations collaborating with Cambridge University, and we are very pleased that Rose has done that, which has boosted the morale of our students," Professor Lai said.

He said Rose's research area was very practical and can meet the needs of society. With tremendous growth in construction and manufacturing activities on the mainland and the planned infrastructural developments in Hong Kong in the coming years, Rose's expertise will be in demand, he added.

Rose had a good foundation in Materials Science when she came to CityU in 2004. She received her bachelor's degree in Metallic Materials Engineering at Jilin University.