Neway Belachew Tadesse: Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (CNITECH)  Postdoctor

Top researchers gather in Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, CAS(CNITECH), in Zhenhai District, providing vital power and support for the development of material technology in Ningbo and Zhejiang Province as a whole. In this strong scientific research team, there are also some outstanding talents from other countries in the world, who moved to Ningbo with an enthusiasm for science and to pursue their dream careers. The interviewee-- Neway Belachew Tadesse is one of this team. Last August, Neway successfully applied for a fellowship at Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, CAS, and started a new journey in Ningbo.

Science is a way to the understanding of nature

For Neway, science is a way of understanding nature, which has also provided powerful evidence and solutions to all the problems that he encountered. Chemical reactions exist in nature in every living organism and substance all the time. Human life is no exception. Chemistry helps us find the simplest chemical element and the origin of the world. Neway (from Ethiopia) is currently conducting his postdoctoral research at CNITECH. He has been interested in science since childhood. When talking about dreams with other children, he was already fascinated by the portraits of great scientists on the wall in the classroom. The seeds of science may have already taken root in his heart then. After receiving his Ph.D. in chemistry from Andhra University in India, he returned to Ethiopia to be a teacher, and did research in Debre Berhan University as a research assistant, a lecturer, an assistant professor and an associate professor.

Chemistry is an experiment to the research of science

Neway's research in science focuses on chemistry. In his eyes, chemistry connects the biological world and the physical world, serves as the central discipline of science. Without chemistry, everything related to it, whether it is medicine, environment, biology or energy, would be meaningless. Perhaps in the views of the public, chemistry is an extremely complex and difficult discipline, but Neway does not think so. In his opinion, "chem is try", chemistry is interesting, like the research they do at present are productions of hydrogen energy through a green end and renewable approach. Thus, Neway thinks the chemistry has a wide range of application scenarios, with infinite possibilities. Passion can solve all difficult problems. Neway gave up the job at the university and now focuses more on research activities and academic work, describing his choice as "My interest in science just drags me to join academia rather than for campaigners."

In CNITECH, every student or researcher is highly responsible for their own work, and Neway also requires himself to be so, and he believes that the attitude towards academics should be rigorous and respectful. During the research activities, he will also carefully listen to the professor's feedback, so as to improve and enhance his work. Neway shows the enthusiasm and focus of a scientist. He leads a simple life with scientific research occupying almost all his life. The scientific career he pursues is so indispensable to the development of our entire society. Neway tries to keep a balance between his work and family, looking for fun in the fulfilling and happy life.

Ningbo is an ideal to the realization of innovation

An ideal research environment is vital for scientists. Neway's choice to move to Ningbo also shows Ningbo’s attractiveness for scientists. Neway learned about the beautiful city for the first time from one of his friends, a student from Ningbo University. When he read the news about Ethiopian diplomats visiting Ningbo on the Internet, it seemed that his distance from Ningbo was narrowed further.

When Neway first arrived in Ningbo, the city was beyond his imagination. He marveled at the convenient infrastructure, safe and livable environment. From the interview, Neway frequently expressed his love for Ningbo. In his limited leisure time, he prefers to take public transportation to see the beautiful scenery of the city, and explore the food which is different from his hometown with his colleagues. As a scientific researcher, he also saw the city’s emphasis on and bright prospects for the development of scientific research. He described the city as "a rising star" hidden development potential and hoped to settle down here with his wife and two children hereafter.