In the golden autumn of 2021, Loigen Sodian, class of 2025 in Electrical Engineering & Automation, filled with ambition and enthusiasm, embarked on his journey from Indonesia to ZJUI. As time has flown by, he has now completed his undergraduate studies here and is pursuing a doctoral degree in Physics at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
At ZJUI, Calculus II (Math 231) has long been a foundational course that many students hold in both reverence and awe. Featuring rigorous mathematical derivations, complex functional logic, and abstract integral applications, it demands significant effort to grasp each key concept. Yet in the classroom of this “demanding” course, there once stood a particularly notable figure—Loigen Sodian, ZJUI’s first international student to serve as a teaching assistant (TA). With his solid academic background and warm tutoring style, he became a reliable helper for students tackling calculus challenges.
In class, Loigen always familiarized himself with the course content in advance to support the instructor in delivering each part of the lesson—from supplementing the derivation of key formulas to helping organize in-class quizzes, and gathering students’ immediate questions in a timely manner.
After-class tutoring was where Loigen interacted most closely with students. During his weekly office hours, he was always surrounded by students: some sought help with incorrect answers in their assignments, while others had questions about course materials. When faced with their queries, Loigen never gave direct answers; instead, he used “question-based guidance” to help them sort through their thinking. Thanks to his patience, many students who once felt intimidated by calculus gradually found their problem-solving philosophy, and some even began taking the initiative to share their own approaches. In discussion, Loigen further leveraged his strength as an international student—he encouraged students from diverse cultural backgrounds to speak up boldly. Even for underdeveloped ideas, he would first offer affirmation before guiding them toward deeper understanding.
The TA role was not without challenges, though. Loigen had to juggle his own coursework with TA responsibilities; at times, to help a student work through a complex problem, he would spend an hour or two researching materials, structuring his reasoning, and even giving up his free time. “At first, it was really tiring,” Loigen admitted. “But every time I see a student’s eyes light up when they say ‘I get it,’ I feel like all the effort is worth it.”
His hard work earned high praise from Lecturer Zhou Cui, instructor of Math 231: “Loigen excelled in calculus himself—his problem-solving approaches were thorough and clear, and he had a deep, comprehensive grasp of key concepts. As a TA, he not only fulfilled his basic duties but also took the initiative to check in on each student’s learning progress. In particular, he went above and beyond to help other international students integrate into the classroom.” She added that Loigen’s contributions had provided fresh perspectives for teaching assistance efforts at ZJUI—particularly within its diverse cultural setting—and served as a powerful example for more international students to take on classroom-related service roles.
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Loigen chose to study at ZJUI because he was eager to pursue a world-class engineering education in a globalized setting. After deciding to study abroad, he set out to find his ideal university. Eventually, driven by his interest in exploring the development of technologies in China, he made the firm choice to come to ZJUI.
“In recent years, China has seen rapid development in the field of engineering technology. For me, choosing to study here is not just about getting a degree—it’s more about hoping to delve into the development of China’s engineering technology,” Loigen explained. “ZJUI, meanwhile, boasts remarkable strength in the field of engineering science and fosters a rigorous and vibrant academic atmosphere, providing students with a world-class international learning environment—one that combines the strengths of interdisciplinary integration and multicultural exchange. Additionally, ZJUI’s English instruction is incredibly helpful for international students like me with limited Chinese proficiency. It not only lets me engage in professional studies without barriers but also allows me to improve my Chinese skills as I integrate into the local community.”
Loigen’s academic journey at ZJUI was both challenging and rewarding. “ZJUI has always upheld high academic standards, so nearly every day here was packed with meaningful yet rigorous academic work,” he admitted. Among the many courses he took, Loigen particularly enjoyed ECE 340—taught by ZJUI Associate Professor Said Mikki. In his classes, Prof. Mikki focused on guiding students to explore the discipline’s core principles independently. With his unique teaching style, Prof. Mikki sparked students' passion for electronics—helping them not only master knowledge but also lose themselves in the fascinating world of scientific exploration. “Prof. Mikki really opened my eyes to the fact that the value of learning isn’t limited to grades on paper; instead, it lies more in the process of exploration itself,” Loigen shared.
Under the guidance of Prof. Mikki, Loigen not only built up solid research experience in electronics and nanotechnology, but also gradually reached the "cognitive boundary" of applied research while conducting in-depth studies on the physical properties of molecular-scale devices—he realized that many intractable technical challenges at the application level ultimately call for exploring the underlying laws of physics. “Once, when I was analyzing how a device’s electrical conductivity changes with its molecular structure, I suddenly realized that knowledge limited to the application field couldn’t fully explain the phenomenon’s essence,” Loigen recalled. It was this curiosity about “underlying principles” that drove him to dive into studying fundamental physics: from quantum engineering to condensed matter physics, he delved into each core theory systematically in search of answers. This exploration also transformed his interest in physics—slowly shifting from seeing it as a “tool for solving applied problems” and instead fostering a deep passion for the discipline itself. “Loigen Sodian was a notable student, distinguished by his focused interest in the scientific foundations that underpin engineering applications. His primary motivation was a genuine desire to grasp the fundamental principles of nanoelectronics and quantum engineering, moving beyond standard problem-solving to engage with the core physics that enable advanced device design.” ZJUI Associate Professor Said Mikki shared with us.
Today, Loigen is pursuing a doctoral degree in Physics at NUS, where his research focuses on topological spintronics. Reflecting on his time at ZJUI, he expressed deep gratitude: “During my studies at ZJUI, whether through courses or my participation in various interdisciplinary research projects, I was exposed to many new and interesting academic fields—which greatly broadened my horizons. What’s more, the outstanding professors here not only helped me build a solid theoretical foundation but also took the time to discuss my interests and future plans with me. It was during this process that I gradually overcame academic challenges and developed the idea of pursuing a doctoral degree in Physics.”
▲ Loigen（左一）与同伴在国际校区2025年迎新晚会上进行歌曲表演
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