Editor’s note

Welcome to Gen Z Weekly, our new column dedicated to showcasing the voices and experiences of Generation Z in Shenzhen and beyond. We’ve created this space to share authentic, youth-driven narratives that reflect the energy and perspectives of today’s young people. Through Gen Z Weekly, expect to hear directly from international students and Chinese youth about their campus lives, personal journeys, and thoughtful insights.

Chen Siqi

vankochensq@163.com

FOR Hamza Saeed Khan, a Pakistani doctoral candidate at Shenzhen University (SZU), his academic journey is more than a personal ambition — it’s a journey fueled by the energy needs of his homeland and the cutting-edge innovation of Shenzhen.

After pursuing a master’s degree at Harbin Engineering University from 2020 to 2023, Khan returned to China in March 2024. For the past year and a half, he has been immersed in life in Shenzhen, a city he deliberately chose as the incubator for his future.

“China has made remarkable progress in various fields, especially in science and technology,” Khan noted. “Shenzhen, in particular, attracted me because it is a dynamic city known as the ‘Silicon Valley of China.’ It has a strong industry-academia-research connection.”

Pursuing a Ph.D. in SZ

He is currently studying nuclear energy and safety at SZU’s Institute of Advanced Study. Before embarking on his Ph.D. studies, Khan worked for China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) as a nuclear power plant systems engineer at the K-II and K-III units in Karachi, Pakistan — flagship projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“It was there I felt the growing importance and potential applications of advanced safety research,” he explained. Determined to secure a future at the forefront of his field, he made a pivotal decision to return to China for a doctorate.

After months of outreach, a connection led him to a professor at SZU. Without hesitation, he resigned from his job and embarked on a new academic path in Shenzhen.

Pursuing a Ph.D. is notoriously demanding, requiring immense focus on literature reviews, complex experiments, and high-level academic writing. Khan manages this workload through strict discipline and balance.

“I set a strict schedule,” he said. “I allocate specific hours for research, reading, and writing during the day. In the evenings or on weekends, I make sure to engage in activities I enjoy.” These activities include dinners with friends, a game of snooker, or swimming and working out at the university’s sports complex. “This helps me relax and come back to my studies with a refreshed mind.”

His research, assigned by his professor, focuses on summarizing prior work concerning safety and safety culture in nuclear power plants. He is currently putting the finishing touches on a paper that he is the first author on and is expected to be published in the coming months. He has also collaborated on another paper concerning AI systems.

Broadening horizons

Life in Shenzhen has contributed significantly to both his personal and professional development.

“Personally, it has broadened my cultural horizons. I’ve interacted with people from different backgrounds, learned about Chinese culture, and improved my cross-cultural communication skills,” he said.

Professionally, he values the exposure to advanced research facilities, industry-leading projects, and top-tier scholars. “The city’s innovative environment fosters creativity and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for my future career,” Khan added.

When he is not in the lab or the library, Khan explores the city through his hobbies of photography and hiking. His camera captures the contrast of Shenzhen’s modern skyscrapers and serene natural landscapes, while hikes up Wutong Mountain and through Lianhua Hill Park offer a respite from his studies and a unique perspective on the city he now calls home.

A future forged in cooperation

Looking ahead to his graduation in 2027, Khan is keeping his options open. Shenzhen’s thriving industry and research ecosystem presents an attractive opportunity to apply his knowledge. Yet, he is also interested in international opportunities.

“The decision will be based on the best career prospects available at that time,” he said.