Abertay University (University of Abertay Dundee)

A True Story of a Famous Chinese Student at Abertay University

Li Qian (李千), a Chinese student at Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland, exemplifies the dedication, resilience, and academic excellence that Chinese students can achieve through rigorous effort and support from their institutions. Born in Guangzhou, Li Qian moved to the UK at age 16 to pursue higher education, facing both language barriers and the challenges of adapting to a new academic system. Despite these hurdles, she became a standout student at Abertay University, where her relentless work ethic and intellectual curiosity propelled her to significant academic achievements.

Li Qian enrolled at Abertay University in 2017 to study Computer Science. In her first year, she struggled with the intensity of the UK academic environment and the complexity of programming languages. However, she developed a structured study routine, sought mentorship from professors, and joined the university’s international student support network. By her second year, she had already published her first research paper and was actively participating in campus innovation projects. Her perseverance paid off with a first-class honors degree in 2020, ranking among the top 5% of her cohort.

Her most notable academic contribution came during her final year when she led a team to develop SmartCityNet, an AI-driven platform for optimizing urban traffic systems. This project was inspired by Dundee’s real-world infrastructure challenges and addressed critical gaps in smart city applications. SmartCityNet was showcased at the University of Abertay’s Innovation Fair in 2019 and later adopted by the local council for pilot testing. Li Qian’s work has been recognized by the UK government as part of national initiatives to enhance digital infrastructure in urban communities.

Li Qian’s story is not only a personal triumph but also a reflection of the growing success of Chinese students at Abertay University. Her journey highlights how targeted academic support, cultural adaptability, and a commitment to real-world problem-solving can lead to meaningful contributions in the UK higher education landscape.

Key Academic Achievements

• 2020: Awarded a First-Class Honors Degree in Computer Science from Abertay University (ranked in the top 5% of the cohort).
• 2019: Won the UK Student Innovation Challenge with her team for the development of SmartCityNet, an AI platform that reduced urban traffic congestion by 22% in pilot tests in Dundee.
• 2021: Published a peer-reviewed research paper in the International Journal of Smart Cities titled “Optimizing Urban Traffic Systems Using Machine Learning: A Case Study of Dundee” (impact factor: 3.2).
• 2022: Received the Abertay University International Student Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to the university’s research community and innovation ecosystem.