Liu Ying's Journey in Industrial Systems Engineering

Addressing complex challenges through systems thinking is a core pursuit in the field of industrial systems engineering and a professional conviction that Liu Ying has steadfastly upheld from academic research to industrial practice. In 2021, Liu Ying participated in the 311 Programme at NUSRI Suzhou, where she gained in-depth knowledge in industrial systems engineering. This experience enabled her to successfully advance and pursue a master's degree at NUS. Now, having completed her studies, she has returned to China and works as an industrial engineer at Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., where she is dedicated to digital project optimisation and Dark Factory implementation. 

When Liu Ying first entered the classroom at NUSRI Suzhou, she was quickly captivated by the professional content of the case studies, which covered topics like data flow and decision tree models. In specialised courses such as Operations Research and Data Analysis, she not only systematically mastered analytical tools like Python but also developed the ability to apply data-driven thinking to solve complex engineering problems. “The institute’s immersive English teaching environment not only improved my academic English proficiency but also subtly shaped my mindset for cross-cultural collaboration,” Liu Ying reflected.

During her studies at NUS, the diverse academic environment significantly broadened her intellectual horizons." Our classroom was like a mini United Nations," Liu Ying recalled. With classmates from Germany, India, Singapore, and beyond, the cross-cultural exchange of ideas taught her to examine problems from multiple perspectives. This exposure to diverse viewpoints later enabled her to better balance technological innovation with practical applications in industrial systems optimisation, laying a solid foundation for her career.  

At a pivotal point in her career, Liu Ying chose Suzhou as the starting place for her professional journey. “My decision came naturally after experiencing Suzhou’s dynamic ecosystem through the 311 Programme.. The city’s dense cluster of smart manufacturing innovators offered the ideal environment to apply my skills and grow as an engineer.”  she explained.

When asked about her motivation for joining Bosch, she explained, "As a 'Lighthouse Factory,' Bosch exemplifies how AI, IoT, and other advanced technologies translate into real-world productivity. I was eager to leverage this cutting-edge platform to turn my knowledge into tangible industrial progress."  

Beyond her professional duties, Liu Ying returned to NUSRI Suzhou to share job-seeking strategies and career insights with younger students—fully embodying her philosophy of "applying knowledge to practice".  

From a dedicated learner immersed in Python code to a digital strategist steering operations at Bosch’s “Lighthouse Factory,” Liu Ying exemplifies the seamless integration of knowledge and action in industrial systems engineering, fueled by passion and commitment. Looking ahead, she is resolved to further explore smart manufacturing, striving to shape the future of industrial intelligence where people and technology, ideals and reality converge.