TOMSK, Feb 22 –
RIA Tomsk. Student of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) Vladislav Da-Gald spent a semester in one of the leading universities of China – Beihang University (BUAA), which is considered one of the strongest technical universities in China. In an interview with RIA Tomsk he told how the Chinese use artificial intelligence in everyday life and help foreigners to adapt.
According to
open sources, the full name of BUAA – is Beijing University of Aeronautics and
Astronautics. The university was founded in 1952. As of 2019, there are 33
academic schools in it, where about 35 thousand students are studying (3
thousand of them – are foreigners).
The university
is a partner of more than 200 universities around the world, is a member of
university consortia, and holds high positions in international academic
rankings.
© предоставлено Владиславом Да-ГальдомView in Beijing
To Beijing for
science
According to
TPU, in 2019, the Polytechnic University organized an academic exchange of
students with five universities of China, including Beihang University in
Beijing. A student of the TPU School of Computer Science & Robotics,
Vladislav Da-Gald, returned from China before the outbreak of a dangerous
disease, so his academic semester was more than successful. He became the first
TPU student to attend BUAA.
"As soon as
I saw information about a new Chinese university – a TPU partner, where
knowledge of the Chinese language is not required, I made a decision instantly.
I must go! Because this university is one of the leading in China in the field
of computer science", – recalls Vladislav.
For several
months, the polytechnic studied several disciplines related to artificial
intelligence, for example, Data Mining (intelligent data analysis necessary for
decision-making in various fields of human activity).
"The course
was taught by Professor Zhang Ri, who has a high level of citation for his
scientific work. He received his Ph.D. from one of the best universities in
Canada. And the Artificial Intelligence & Application course was taught by
Professor Xiao Bai, who has a significant portfolio in research activities",
– says TPU student.
The courses also
include Object Oriented Programming, Java, Software Engineering, Operating
System.
"The
university provides great opportunities for doing science. The level of
technical support of laboratories is at a very high level. Interested students,
even exchange students, can carry out scientific research in accordance with
their interests", – recalls the polytechnic.
© предоставлено Владиславом Да-ГальдомVladislav Da-Gald (left), TPU student in Beijing
Vladislav says
that acquaintance with artificial intelligence at Beihang University begins
literally from a threshold.
"The university’s
student campus is a closed territory, access is granted through electronic
passes, as well as intelligent face recognition. After the system has "studied"
your face, there is no need to use a pass", – he says.
Territory of
smart solutions
Vladislav noted
in general a large number of innovations in Beijing: "These are cameras
that control, I think, every square meter of territory. This is WeChat – a
mobile application that combines a social network, payment system, and the
purchase of all kinds of goods and services".
The application
helps Beijingers, for example, use the city’s bicycle network: "You can
rent a bicycle only by scanning the QR code using WeChat application. You can
use the bike for virtually unlimited time. The cost of a monthly tariff is less
than 200 rubles. You can leave the bike anywhere, just by closing the lock,
that’s stop your responsibility for it. "
© предоставлено Владиславом Да-ГальдомLeisure in Beijing
Among other
features of the Chinese city, Vladislav noted the initiative of pensioners.
"In the
evening, for example, you will meet a variety of age categories of people on
the street, including very elderly Beijing people who are passionate about
their activities. Someone is dancing, someone is shooting from a slingshot,
singing, playing badminton, dancing with colorful ribbons. Absolute openness",
– recalls the student.
He adds that
Beijing will also be remembered as a city for the "larks".
"A lot of
people wake up around 6 a.m., and at that time most cafes are already open.
Since I prefer just this way of life, it was very convenient for me. In Russia,
you can hardly find places that open at this time", – says the
polytechnic.
Internship with
perspective
According to
Vladislav, Beihang University did everything possible so that the adaptation of
foreign students went smoothly. So, each newcomer was provided with a curator
from among Chinese students, organized free trips to the Great Wall of China
and other attractions, indulged in national dinners in restaurants.
The university’s
student campus is a small city in which there is everything necessary for
student (and not only) life: apartments, restaurants, sports centers,
supermarkets and so on.
"Foreign
students live here in double rooms. My neighbor – is a guy from Norway. We are
equally passionate about sports, so we often held various competitions and
tested each other", – shares the polytechnic.
As Vladislav
noted, in China there is an interest in talented foreign students. For example,
with good academic performance and knowledge of English, students can
participate in the CSC Chinese government scholarship competition, which covers
not only the cost of tuition and accommodation, but also provides monthly
payments for the student’s personal needs.
"And, of
course, one of the main advantages of the university – is its environment. I
made friends with talented students, some of whom are already working in
scientific centers of their countries. Someone received a job invitation from
automotive giants such as Mercedes, BMW during their bachelor's degree studies",
– adds Tomsk student.