Name：秦瑞文 ATTIQ-UR REHMAN
Nationality：Pakistan
School：School of Cyber Science and Engineering
Major：Cyber Security
Supervisor：路松峰 LU SONGFENG
Honor：Academic Excellence Award of the Academic Year 2023-2024
Hello, my name is Attiq Ur Rehman and Chinese name is Qin Ruiwen, and I am a student of School of Cyber Science and Engineering, HUST. Throughout my academic journey at HUST, I have focused on research that not only challenges conventional thinking but also contributes meaningful insights to my field. It is an honor to share my experiences with you as I recount the path that led to receiving the Excellence Award for my research publications. This achievement represents not just a personal milestone but also a culmination of years of hard work, collaboration, and the unwavering pursuit of knowledge. My journey wasn’t an easy one, but each challenge faced and obstacle overcome added a new layer to my understanding of what it takes to achieve academic excellence. In this story, I hope to share my experience of how hard work, perseverance, and a passion for knowledge can lead to success.
Like many students, my journey into research began with curiosity an innate desire to understand how things work and why they happen. I was always fascinated by how knowledge from various disciplines could come together to solve real-world problems. In high school, I found myself drawn to Cyber Science and Engineering, where I felt I could contribute to something meaningful. But when I arrived at HUST, I realized that the pursuit of knowledge was not just about learning facts, it was about asking questions that had yet to be answered.
As I delved into various areas of Cyber Security, I was inspired by accomplished researchers whose work raised new questions and sparked my imagination. I realized that research isn’t about proving what’s already known, but about exploring the unknown and contributing to the broader body of knowledge. This insight fueled my passion for research, and I became determined to explore meaningful topics that could make a real impact, always asking myself, "What questions in my field have yet to be answered?"
After deciding to pursue research, the first major challenge was finding a topic that resonated with me both intellectually and practically. I spent hours reading research papers, attending seminars, and speaking with professors and fellow students to refine my focus. Eventually, I identified a research gap in Internet of Things (IoT) Security, which seemed to offer potential for new insights and contributions. Choosing a research topic that was both exciting and academically valuable was a crucial decision. I knew that the path I was about to embark on would require a significant commitment of time and effort, so I wanted to ensure that I was working on something that would keep me motivated in the face of inevitable setbacks. The topic I chose, “The role of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology in Modern Cultivation for the Implementation of Greenhouses”, became my intellectual anchor. It was a subject I was deeply passionate about and one that offered the possibility of real-world applications. However, I quickly learned that passion alone would not be enough to guarantee success; it would take discipline, patience, and resilience.
Research is not a linear process. It is filled with obstacles, setbacks, and moments of doubt. The initial excitement of choosing a topic gave way to the realities of data collection, experimentation, and analysis. There were countless instances where experiments didn’t go as planned, data didn’t yield the expected results, or my theoretical framework needed to be revised. At times, the research process felt like an uphill battle, and I questioned whether I was on the right track. But it was precisely during these challenging moments that I began to understand the true nature of academic excellence. Success in research is not about getting everything right the first time. It’s about learning from mistakes, refining your approach, and staying determined even when things don’t go as expected. Every failure was an opportunity to grow, to reassess my approach, and to find new ways of addressing the problems I encountered.
During my research, I relied heavily on feedback from professors and mentors, whose guidance helped me refine my methodology, interpret results, and address gaps in my work. I realized that research is a collaborative process, where exchanging ideas with others, especially those with more experience, is essential for improving quality. The key lesson I learned was the importance of perseverance, research is often slow and challenging, but pushing through difficulties is what separates successful researchers from those who give up too soon. Despite feeling exhausted at times, I reminded myself that every small step was bringing me closer to my goal.
After months of hard work, my research began to take shape. The next challenge was sharing my findings with the academic community. I knew that publishing my work in reputable journals was not only essential for my academic growth but also for making my contributions available to others in my field. However, the publication process was much more demanding than I had anticipated.
Submitting a paper for publication is a challenging process, involving peer reviews, revisions, and re-submissions. When I received my first rejection, I was initially discouraged but quickly understood it was part of the journey. I took the feedback seriously, revised my work, and persevered. Eventually, my hard work paid off with my first acceptance letter, which was a rewarding moment, not just for the acceptance itself but for knowing my research had passed expert scrutiny. Over time, I published several more papers, each contributing to the broader academic conversation in my field.
After years of research and publication, I was honored to receive the Excellence Award for my contributions. However, I recognized that this achievement was not just a reflection of my work, but of the collective effort from mentors, peers, and collaborators who helped push the boundaries of knowledge. The award validated the hard work and perseverance I had invested, but it also reminded me that academic excellence is about contributing to a larger purpose, advancing understanding and solving real-world problems. It was not just a personal achievement, but a part of the broader academic community’s efforts.
Reflecting on my journey, I realize that academic excellence is not defined by a single award or publication, but by the ongoing effort to ask meaningful questions, seek answers, and contribute to the field. This journey has been about growth, resilience, and pursuing a higher purpose. I hope my story inspires others on their academic paths, reminding them that success requires hard work, patience, and learning from both successes and failures. Achievements are never solely individual, they result from collaboration, mentorship, and dedication to a greater cause. To all students: the road to excellence is challenging, but every step brings you closer to your goals. Keep pushing forward, stay curious, and never stop learning. You have great potential, and I believe in you.
