From Beijing to London: shaping the next generation of engineers

A Professor of Telecommunications Engineering at Queen Mary University of London, Professor Yue Chen’s research and teaching journey is closely tied to the long-standing partnership between Queen Mary and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT).An alumna of BUPT – Professor Chen studied telecommunications engineering there – her academic excellence led to a recommendation to pursue a PhD in London. After completing her PhD, she joined Queen Mary as an academic and became actively involved in strengthening collaboration between Queen Mary and BUPT.  

Drawing on her experience of both the Chinese and UK education systems, today, in addition to her research and teaching responsibilities, Professor Chen serves as Senior Advisor for Transnational Education on the Joint Programme between Queen Mary and BUPT, supporting its academic quality and strategic development. She is also a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, a Senior Member of the IEEE, and a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Engineering and Technology. 

Here, she discusses the joint programme’s history, her involvement from the start and how 20 years later, it continues to go from strength-to-strength.  

What excites you most about working with students in the Queen Mary-BUPT joint programme?  

What excites me most is the opportunity to work with exceptionally talented and motivated students. The students in this programme are truly among the very best in China, and it is inspiring to see their curiosity and ambition when they engage with new ideas and technologies. 

Because the programme brings together different educational approaches and perspectives, students are encouraged to think critically and creatively. I am particularly passionate about exploring innovative ways of learning, such as active learning, problem-based projects, and the responsible use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. 

What makes this programme special?  

It brings together the strengths of both the UK and Chinese education systems. Students benefit from Queen Mary’s research-led, practice-based engineering education excellence and BUPT’s internationally recognised strengths in telecommunications and information engineering. 

The programme is not simply a combination of courses from two universities. The curriculum, delivery model, quality assurance, and governance structure have all been jointly designed to create a distinctive and coherent learning experience. The goal is to prepare engineers with global perspectives and the skills to shape future technologies. 

Queen Mary was one of the first UK universities to establish a transnational education (TNE) partnership in China. What has made this partnership so successful? 

The success of this pioneering partnership is rooted in strong mutual trust between Queen Mary and BUPT. This trust and a shared ambition of delivering a new type of partnership allowed early academic exchanges to grow into the first UK–China dual-award joint degree programme. It was also driven by visionary leadership at both universities, who recognised the opportunities of globalised education and were willing to take innovative risks.  

The complementary academic strengths of the two institutions, including Queen Mary’s research-led approach to delivering engineering education and BUPT’s telecommunications expertise, have provided a strong foundation, enabling the programme to thrive for over 20 years. This continued success is reflected in ongoing innovation within the partnership, including the introduction of new initiatives such as the Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Smart Technology MSc, which demonstrates how the collaboration remains forward-looking and pioneering in its approach to global engineering education. 

How do students in China benefit from studying in this programme? 

One major advantage is the international perspective students gain while remaining on the BUPT campus. They study an up-to-date curriculum delivered through innovative teaching approaches, are exposed to international academic standards and diverse ways of thinking and all of this is done through English, which further improves their language skillsThey also have opportunities to engage with Queen Mary students through summer schools, hackathons, and joint activities. This combination helps them develop not only technical knowledge, but also communication skills, cultural awareness, and confidence. 

How does this programme support students adapting to international education?  

Supporting students through this transition is a key priority for us. One advantage of the programme is that students study on the BUPT campus, so they begin their university journey in a familiar environment while gradually adapting to an international academic system, which includes spending time on the Queen Mary campus in London. 

Throughout the programme, students are supported at every stage of their learning journey. All modules are delivered in English, but in the first year, bilingual support is available to help students adjust. We also provide tailored workshops, such as metacognition and “learning how to learn,” helping students develop the skills needed for independent and critical thinking. 

What qualities do you see in students as they progress through this programme?  

I often see them arrive as very capable young students, and over the years they develop into confident, independent, and globally minded engineers. 

I see their analytical abilities becoming much stronger as they learn to approach complex engineering problems from different perspectives and think more critically about technology and its impact. 

Perhaps most importantly, I see them develop resilience and adaptability. Working within an international academic framework encourages them to step outside their comfort zone and take ownership of their learning. By the time they graduate, many have grown into thoughtful and open-minded engineers who are well prepared to contribute to the rapidly evolving global technology landscape.  

As a female professor in engineering, what inspired you to pursue a career in telecommunications and academia?  

My interest in science and technology started quite early, and I think it was very much influenced by my family. Both of my parents are Professors in Physics, so I grew up in an environment where curiosity about how the world works was always encouraged.  

I still remember a small moment from my childhood: my father once made a little rabbit for me using transparent candy wrapping paper. When light shone through it, the rabbit appeared in beautiful colours because of the principle of polarisation. That simple moment of ‘magic’ fascinated me and sparked my early curiosity about physics and science. 

Later, studying telecommunications at BUPT and witnessing the rapid development of global mobile networks inspired me to pursue research in this field. It was an exciting time, with many unanswered questions and opportunities to innovate. 

This passion continues to this day, and I enjoy being able to pass that passion and my knowledge on to students through my teaching at Queen Mary and on this joint programme, while still being able to continue my academic research.  

What advice would you give to young women in China who are considering STEM careers?  

Follow your curiosity and do not let stereotypes limit your ambitions. Engineering is ultimately about solving problems and creating technologies that improve people’s lives, and diverse perspectives are incredibly valuable in that process. 

If you are interested in science or technology, pursue it with confidence and persistence. There will certainly be challenges, but engineering is also a field full of exciting opportunities. Women bring creativity, insight, and leadership to engineering, and the field benefits greatly from their contributions. 

Most importantly, believe in your own potential. With curiosity, determination, and the right support, young women can thrive and make a meaningful impact in engineering and technology. 

How important are role models for students in STEM? 

Diversity strengthens science and engineering, because we are facing complex global challenges that requires different experiences and way of thinking. When young people see individuals from different backgrounds succeeding in STEM, it expands their sense of what they themselves might achieve. 

Equally important is seeing the real journeys behind those successes. Diverse role models show that careers are rarely perfect or linear. There are often challenges, setbacks, and even failures along the way. When students hear these honest stories, it helps them understand that struggle is a natural part of learning and growth, and that persistence and resilience are just as important as talent. 

Queen Mary University of London, a member of the Russell Group of Universities, is a 240-year-old global institution recognised for academic excellence, research impact, social responsibility and diversity, with students from over 170 nationalities.  

Ranked in the top 100 globally and top 10 in the UK by US News & World Report, and 31st in the world for research outputs by Times Higher Education, Queen Mary combines world-leading research with outstanding education. It is consistently targeted by top employers in the UK and internationally, ensuring graduates leave with globally recognised qualifications and in-demand skills. 

Queen Mary has a long-standing partnership with China, spanning more than 20 years, including collaborations with leading institutions such as Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanchang University and Northwestern Polytechnical University. Today, over 5,600 students study on Queen Mary programmes in China, reflecting a stable and deeply embedded partnership.