A Ghanaian international student, Jeffrey Dankwa Ampah is studying for his master's degree in the major of Environmental Engineering at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University. With the patronage of the Chinese Government Scholarship, Jeffrey started his scientific research in Associate Professor Jin Chao’s team in September 2019, and his research focused on preparation and evaluation of low-carbon fuels for engine transport applications.
During the two-year study, Jeffrey published 4 high-level research papers as the first or corresponding author, including 2 consecutive papers published in the top journal of the environmental field, Journal of Cleaner Production (IF=9.297), and in Environmental Science and Pollution Research (IF=4.223). At the same time, Jeffrey actively engaged in the interdisciplinary of environment and energy. Through cooperation with Professor Liu Haifeng from the School of Mechanical Engineering, Jeffrey published another research paper in a top energy journal as the first author, Fuel (IF=6.609). In addition, Jeffrey, through collaboration and assistance with other members of the team has 6 additional high-level research papers as a co-author in leading environmental and energy journals such as Fuel Processing Technology (IF=7.033) and Energy (IF=7.147) – thus, amassing 10 research papers in the span of two years.
Jeffrey’s work on clean and low-carbon alternative fuels for ships has received widespread attention from international community once published. Technical officials and library directors from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) immediately sent an email to inquire about the full text; Polish researchers led by Professor Krzysztof Wróbel of Gdynia Maritime University congratulated Jeffrey’s novel report on low-carbon marine fuels and proposed to co-author future papers on low-carbon marine fuels with the authors.
“Our team’s scientific research atmosphere is very strong, the cooperation is very close, and the students get along very well. Professor Jin Chao and Professor Liu Haifeng gave me very good guidance in the scientific research process. At the same time, I was very fortunate to get great help and strong support from the students in our research team" Jeffrey said. "In fact, in the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, the School of International Education, the Office of International Exchange, international students, professors and members of the research group have close collaborations. The English level of the professors and most Chinese students is very commendable. We basically conduct our group meetings in English. Some students who have just started scientific research have difficulty speaking English, and they will also present their PPT in bilingual, i.e., Chinese and English, to easily allow me to follow and understand their research works. All these make me more excited which enabled my scientific research to be carried out more smoothly. This is why it is said that the School of Environmental Science and Engineering is the best harbor for learning and achieving results." At the same time, he is very grateful to the Chinese government for funding his studies and the good learning atmosphere provided by Tianjin University.
In the eyes of his mentor, Associate Professor Jin Chao, Jeffrey is a person who is hardworking, calm and has an extreme enthusiasm for scientific research, and very calm. During his two years in China, he has not left Tianjin except for various activities organized by the school. He always devotes limited time to research and study. Although he is only 27 years old, he has the composure and steadiness above his peers, which has also guaranteed for him to achieve the above-mentioned scientific research results.
Through his study in China, Jeffrey not only mastered many theories and technologies of combustion pollutant emission control, carbon neutral energy preparation and evaluation knowledge; but also used the knowledge to publish as the corresponding author about waste-to-energy technologies investment in Ghana. For energy's technical and economic feasibility study, it has contributed to the friendly development of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Ghana. Jeffrey believes that learning is an endless process, and hopes to continue his PhD in China.
Since 2016, the School of Environmental Science and Engineering of Tianjin University has started to offer master's and doctoral courses in English. There are now about 100 international students living and studying in the School of Environmental Science and Engineering. With the joint efforts of faculty, local students and international students, international graduate students have begun to contribute scientific research to the School of Environmental Science and Engineering.
by the School of Environmental Science and Engineering
Editor:Qin Mian & Yang Fan
