At just 16, Gao Qiyue left his hometown in Liaoning to begin his studies at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU). Four years later, he is preparing for the next chapter of his academic journey after receiving an offer to pursue a master's degree in Scientific Computing at the University of Cambridge.
Gao Qiyue
Class of 2026, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Offer: MPhil in Scientific Computing, MASt in Mathematics (Applied Mathematics), MPhil in Quantitative Climate and Environmental Science, all from the University of Cambridge
Looking back, Gao describes his undergraduate years as "a journey full of surprises".
Although he had long excelled in mathematics, including winning a provincial first prize in the Chinese Mathematical Olympiad, his transition to university was not straightforward. Initially enrolled in Financial Mathematics, he even considered transferring to Applied Mathematics because he felt the programme was "not mathematical enough".
Everything changed after meeting Prof Zhang Qiang.
"His lectures completely changed my perspective," Gao recalled. Drawing on his expertise in both mathematics and physics, Prof Zhang explained financial theories through intuitive physical concepts, making complex ideas both rigorous and accessible. Inspired by his teaching, Gao decided to remain in the programme.
The interdisciplinary curriculum, spanning mathematics, finance, statistics and computer science, soon broadened his academic interests. But it was research that truly shaped his future.
Under the supervision of Prof Wu Jiang-Lun, Gao began exploring advanced mathematical knowledge. Reading research papers proved daunting at first. One article took him nearly two months to fully understand as he worked through unfamiliar theories and derivations line by line.
Gao wins the Best Presentation Award at the 14th Science & Technology Poster Presentation organised by BNBU's Faculty of Science and Technology
"I simply kept learning until I understood," he said.
His persistence paid off. Over three years, Gao published several research papers as either first or co-first author, participated in interdisciplinary projects ranging from stochastic modelling to epidemiology, and earned awards in mathematical modelling competitions. In 2024, he also attended the University of Oxford's summer programme in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, where he received both a scholarship and the Outstanding Participant Award.
Gao with his tutor at Oxford
Gao has won multiple scholarships during his four years at BNBU
Graduate school applications brought new challenges. Although he narrowly missed admission to Oxford after a demanding interview process, he refused to be discouraged. Cambridge soon brought unexpected good news, offering him places in three master's programmes. He ultimately chose Scientific Computing, a programme that perfectly aligns with his passion for computational mathematics.
For Gao, BNBU offered far more than academic achievement.
"The professors here have supported me every step of the way," he said. "They not only taught me mathematics, but also helped me grow as a person."
With Cambridge ahead and a PhD already in his long-term plans, Gao hopes to continue exploring the beauty of mathematics through research, and to keep following the curiosity that first brought him to BNBU.
From MPRO
Video by Juan Rengifo, Owen Li and Cecilia Yu
Editor: Cecilia Yu
