Electronic and Computer Engineering PhD Graduate Recognized for Research in Privacy-Preserving Distributed Learning

8 June 2024

Dr. SHAO Jiawei, a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE), has been selected as the winner of the School of Engineering (SENG) PhD Research Excellence Award 2023-24 at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). This award recognizes his exceptional research achievements and contributions to the field during his PhD studies.

Jiawei’s research focuses on device-edge cooperative inference, neural data compression, federated learning, and large language models. His thesis, titled “Task-Oriented Communications for Connected Intelligence at the Wireless Network Edge”, introduces innovative principles for developing communication schemes that facilitate AI-driven applications at the edge. One of his first-author publications, “Selective Knowledge Sharing for Privacy-Preserving Federated Distillation Without a Good Teacher”, has been featured in renowned multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications.

The SENG PhD Research Excellence Award scheme, established in 2011, aims to honor the remarkable accomplishments of PhD students and recent graduates who have made influential contributions to their respective disciplines during their time at HKUST. This year, the number of awards has increased from three to six, including the Winner, First Runner-up, Second Runner-up, and three finalists, to further extend the School’s recognition to outstanding research students.

During the ceremony, the School of Engineering also expressed its deep gratitude to the PhD advisors of all award recipients. Each advisor received a certificate of appreciation, acknowledging their exceptional supervision, guidance, and support to their students throughout their research journey.

Dr. Shao Jiawei (left), winner of the HKUST SENG PhD Research Excellence Award 2023-24, was presented the award by Dean of Engineering Prof. Hong K. Lo (right). The award contains a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of HK$25,000. Jiawei’s PhD advisor, Prof. Zhang Jun (center), Associate Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering, also received a certificate of appreciation.

Dr. Diao Shizhe, a 2024 PhD graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, is the First Runner-up. He will be presented with a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of HK$15,000.

Dr. Lin Yong (center), a 2024 PhD graduate in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), is the Second Runner-up. He received a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of HK$8,000 from Prof. Richard So (right), Associate Dean of Engineering (Research & Graduate Studies). Also pictured was CSE Department Head Prof. Zhou Xiaofang (left).

Dr. Melody Chung Jin-Teng, a 2023 PhD graduate from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE), is named a finalist. She and her PhD advisor Prof. Chau Ying, Professor of CBE, will each be awarded a certificate.

(From left) Finalist Dr. Feng Siyuan, a 2023 PhD graduate from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CIVL), and his PhD advisor Prof. Yang Hai, Chair Professor of CIVL, were presented with a certificate by Prof. Li Zhigang, Chair of the Engineering Research Committee.

(From left) Finalist Dr. Li Cheuk-Yin, a 2024 PhD graduate from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE), and his PhD advisor Prof. Becki Yi Kuang, Assistant Professor of CBE, received a certificate from Prof. Li Zhigang, Chair of the Engineering Research Committee.

All the award recipients and their PhD advisors joined the Dean of Engineering Prof. Hong K. Lo (center), Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies) Prof. Richard So (fourth right), Chair of Engineering Research Committee Prof. Li Zhigang (second right), and CSE Department Head Prof. Zhou Xiaofang (third right) for a group photo.

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class research intensive university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. Over 80% of our research work were rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. We were ranked 3rd in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2022, and our graduates were ranked 23rd worldwide and among the best from universities from Asia in Global Employability University Ranking and Survey 2021.

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