Around the world and back
(Interview from 2015)
Anja Vogler
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province in central China. Around 4.3 million people live in the city center alone. Wuhan is also the birthplace and home of Hongliang Li.
He is used to size the of the province and its population. Yet despite this, or perhaps because of it, the 35-year-old is also a big fan of Germany – and above all the city of Dresden, with its more manageable scale and amazing cultural scene. His first trip to Saxony's capital city was back in 1998.
"In 1998, I started my mechanical engineering degree with a specialization in automotive and rail vehicle engineering at TU Dresden," Hongliang Li recalls. In preparation for his studies, he attended the TUD preparatory college. "German universities have an excellent reputation globally because of the academic environment and conditions," Li says, explaining his decision to study in a European country. At TUD, he found the right program for him and he remembers that time fondly. "I liked a lot of things. The conditions here are excellent and the library resources are great. It's a pleasant environment to study in. My degree gave me extensive engineering knowledge."
Hongliang Li spent most of his time in Dresden with compatriots who were also studying here. His parents provided 75% of the finance and he earned the rest during the semester breaks. From the outset, Li found Dresden – with a population of just over 500,000 – a very charming and, above all, quiet city. "I like the order and cleanliness in Germany. Life is so well regulated here. It's not like that in other countries. But China is and remains my home. That's where the people close to me live."
Hongliang Li
Hongliang Li moved back to China, to his birthplace of Wuhan, immediately after graduating in June 2008. He was offered an excellent post at the Institute of Automotive and Transportation Engineering at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. "The content covered and expertise acquired during my degree, alongside the practical experience, helped me a lot professionally." However, Hongliang Li always knew that he would ultimately like to continue his education and expand his knowledge. "I found the 'Vehicle Safety and Traffic Accident Research' Master's program at Dresden International University (DIU) through the website of the German Academic Exchange Service." He immediately liked the look of it.
"Over the past decade, continuous growth in traffic and the rapid development of the automotive industry in China have led to a number of environmental, resource, and safety problems. Although the number of traffic fatalities has decreased in recent years, more than 150 people still die each day in China [as a result of road accidents]. Sustainable mobility concepts will be required if we are to achieve fundamental improvements here. Vehicle safety is a core element of sustainable mobility, and is a central issue alongside emissions and consumption. What is more, accident research contributes to road safety by preventing accidents or mitigating their impact. Steadily reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the roads remains an ongoing challenge. That is why I decided on the 'Vehicle Safety and Traffic Accident Research' Master's for my further study."
And so he did. In April 2015, Hongliang Li returned to Dresden and was amazed at how much had changed. "The main train station has been renovated, there is the Centrum Galerie, new buildings on Postplatz square and much more." At DIU, as at TU Dresden before, he has found the right place to study. "We are taught by TUD professors with scientific and research expertise, and practitioners with years of professional experience in leading companies. This is just right for me, and the interdisciplinary academic development I was looking for."
Hongliang Li is happy about the route he has taken and would recommend it to others. "Experience abroad is very valuable, and offers clear career benefits for the individual. Language skills, contacts, and a foreign culture are useful and enriching."
He plans to graduate with a Master of Science in Vehicle Safety and Traffic Accident Research (VSTAR) in spring 2017. And then? Return to Wuhan.
Contact details:
Dresden International University
Freiberger Str. 37, 01067 Dresden