Nominees for the People of Distinction | Wee-Liat ONG: Both a Teacher and a Friend, Connecting the Globe

Wee-Liat ONG is a Singapore-born Chinese, and a tenured associate professor at the ZJU-UIUC Institute. Since joining in Jan. 2018, he has been dedicated to the mission of educating and nurturing students, focusing on their growth and influencing their character development. Alongside his teaching and mentoring roles, ONG has played an active role in promoting the international development of his discipline of mechanical engineering and in enhancing the global influence of China’s higher education. He also frequently delivers science outreach lectures at primary and secondary schools across China and has been invited by international organizations to contribute popular science articles for a global audience.

Employing innovative teaching methods and putting students first to promote talent development

As the head of Mechanical Engineering at the Institute, ONG adopts an interdisciplinary approach to developing innovative talent and enhancing the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering program. He teaches several core undergraduate courses that offer students a distinctive classroom experience by using a blended teaching approach that integrates practical applications and interdisciplinary learning. Students consistently praise his inspiring teaching methods, his humorous and engaging lecturing style, his mentor-friend relationships with them, his diligent work ethic, and his genuine care for their well-being. Xu Zhe, a civil engineering student, remarked, “The professor uses effective analogies and encourages a lot of interaction, giving students a strong sense of participation—it is very engaging.” Wang Shuke, an electrical engineering student, shared, “The professor explains concepts in a simple and understandable way, and his humorous style makes it easier for me to focus in class.” Sylvia, a Malaysian student, said, “I learned how to think critically. The professor adjusts his teaching based on student feedback, making each class something to look forward to.” ONG works closely with UIUC faculty to update and align course content, incorporating his cutting-edge knowledge and insights to enhance the international relevance and award-winning appeal of his courses.

ONG focuses on developing students' research and practical skills. Under his mentorship, his undergraduate research teams have received national- and Zhejiang provincial-level grant support. Notably, two of his undergraduate students, Lu Haofan and Yu Yi, published an interdisciplinary research paper on machine learning and heat transfer as joint first authors in a leading academic journal. They remarked, “Professor Wee-Liat is a gifted researcher with a deep passion for teaching. Regardless of whether we achieve immediate results, we will definitely learn valuable research methods from him. I feel I have made great progress under his guidance, as he embodies the essence of teaching by example.”

Educate students with heart and soul, and subtly promote their growth

ONG appreciates the vital role of a class advisor in student development. He actively organized and participated in meetings for the Mechanical Engineering Class of 2022, fostering a culture of academic integrity and building strong bonds with his students. He engaged with students not only during class activities but also maintained close contact with them through instant messaging tools like WeChat and even communicated frequently with parents to ease their concerns about their children’s development. Among the graduates of the Mechanical Engineering of Class of 2022, eight were admitted to top domestic postgraduate programs, while 27 pursued further studies at prestigious international universities such as Stanford and NUS. By providing this guidance, ONG successfully fulfills his responsibilities while broadening students' global perspectives. He also takes particular care to provide special support to students who are struggling academically, helping them rekindle their passion for learning. With his assistance, several students who had delayed their studies finally graduated successfully and were accepted into top international universities for further study. His sincere dedication and care have earned him multiple accolades, including “Outstanding Class Advisor” awards from the University and the International Campus. His contributions to teaching and student development were further recognized by the University in 2024 when he was honored as an “Advanced Individual in Education” at the 12th Zhejiang University “Sanquan” Award Ceremony.

He actively engages with students in social activities during winter and summer breaks and once led a student team to Tongwei County in Gansu Province, China, to give educational support and help alleviate poverty in this remote region. There, he inspired students to become ambitious, responsible, and resilient young leaders while introducing international teaching methods and educational philosophies to the local schools. This team earned first prize in an international campus competition, and ONG was recognized as one of the University’s “Top 10 Student Social Practice Mentors.” When his graduate student faced a choice between meeting urgent research deadlines and donating blood stem cells for a matching patient, ONG’s words, “Giving the hope of life is, of course, more important than publishing a paper,” provided students with strong encouragement. His PhD student Tu Jing described him on the college’s social media platform as “…knowledgeable, kind, and dedicated; a role model in my eyes. Despite his packed schedule, he always finds time to meet with students, share a meal, and chat about their well-being.” Inspired by ONG’s example, Tu Jing chose to support local development in Mianyang, in Sichuan Province, another underdeveloped region of Western China, by engaging in research work after graduation.

With a global mindset, leading the way and innovating to promote international cooperation

In response to China’s “Carbon neutrality and peak carbon emissions” policy, ONG’s research in the field of energy utilization and conversion has achieved innovative breakthroughs in foundational science. He has published 37 high-impact journal papers, including two in Nature Materials, including cover features in distinguished journals, recognition as “ESI Highly Cited Papers“, and selection as “Editor's Picks“.

As the deputy leader of the international admissions committee at the Institute and a member of Zhejiang University’s international recruitment team, ONG has been instrumental in fostering partnerships with prestigious overseas institutions and launching a variety of international collaboration projects. Notably, he facilitated the signing of an educational Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a renowned high school in Singapore and initiated the first summer camp for Indonesian high school students at Zhejiang University, which was funded by the Indonesian government. By promoting the educational philosophy and the distinctive undergraduate programs of the Institute, his team attracts an increasing number of high-quality international students to pursue their studies at Zhejiang University, thereby enhancing the University’s international profile and reputation and making significant contributions to the “Study in China” brand.