Chair Professor, College of Information Science and Technology
IEEE Fellow
Ten years ago, Professor David Keezer came from the United States to work at Georgia Tech Shenzhen Institute, Tianjin University, starting his teaching career in China. Ten years later, the Eastern Institute of Technology,Ningbo (EIT), with its internationalized vision, excellent research platform and innovative academic atmosphere, attracted him to deep cultivation in it. EIT has not only supported Professor Keezer in reaching new academic heights but has also been part of his journey of integrating into life in China — from initial exploration to a growing sense of belonging.
When Professor Keezer first arrived in China, he was uncertain about the academic and living environment awaiting him across the Pacific. However, through interactions with local colleagues and students—and even attending a colleague’s wedding in Shenzhen—he came to experience the unique charm of Chinese culture and gradually adapted to life here. "In Shenzhen, I felt a real sense of closeness," Professor Keezer recalled. "Everyone was friendly and willing to help strangers." His wife also played a key role in helping him settle into life in China, enabling him to integrate more quickly into the local community and deepening his sense of trust in the country.
Although Keezer considered returning to the U.S., he had tostay in China for a long time because of his family. At the sametime, Keezer was eager to continue his research, and the inability of Shenzhen to support his research prompted him tolook for a new opportunity. In late 2021,a friend introduced him to EIT in Ningbo, a brand-new institution full of energy and possibilities. Despite the rainy and chilly conditions during Professor Keezer's first visit in Ningbo, he was attracted by EIT's international atmosphere and impressed by President Shiyi Chen's educational philosophy to create an emerging research university and the bright future for higher education.
As one of the first chair professors to join ElT, Professor Keezer's courage to be the first is admirable. He once said,"This is the lastperiod of my academic career, and I want to seize this preciousopportunity to draw a perfect conclusion to my academiccareer!" Therefore, upon joining the EIT, Keezer immediately threw himself into the research he loves. EIT's fund for professors, which will be used to build their labs and experimental teams, was quickly put in place. At EIT, Professor Keezer and his team have conducted in-depth research in several cutting-edge fields. Notably, they have made significant advancements in the development of a new architecture for Automated Test Equipment (ATE) capable of supporting 64Gbps data rates. This breakthrough has resulted in a substantial enhancement of testing capabilities for high-speed integrated circuits and has contributed to advancements in next-generation communications, data processing, and high-speed computing.
EIT not only provides excellent hardware support, but also afavorable working environment for foreign faculty. Everyschool leader at EIT has studied and worked overseas and has many years of leadership experience in China, which provides foreign faculty with a variety of domestic and internationalresources to help them adapt quickly.
For most foreign teachers, the language barrier is a major problem in China. EIT's excellent English communication environment helps foreign teachers not only to communicate smoothly with their students and colleagues, but also to eliminate language barriers in their daily lives, making them easier to immerse in the local culture and society, and to build up their trust in the life in China. EIT's internationalization also extends to every staff on campus. The chef, the repairman,and the cleaner are all able to understand English and workhard to communicate with Professor Keezer.
Professor Keezer believes that trust is the key for him to be able to live in China, and this trust has laid a solid foundation for his work.Working in China involves not only research, but also cultural and communication challenges, and trust is the foundation of cross-cultural cooperation. He pointed out that EIT not only provides good research facilities for foreign faculty, but also creates a harmonious and internationalized working environment where foreign scholars can fully display their talents. The leaders of EIT maintain close contact with the foreign faculty, help them integrate into the campus culture, and provide support in their daily work. This kind of caring makes him feel comfortable working here, and makes him willing to stay in Ningbo, a city full of potential.
"I think EIT is a university where I can feel comfortable doing my research and living," Professor Keezer said warmly."
The story of Professor Keezer and EIT is a model of cross-cultural cooperation and trust building, and a vivid illustration of EIT's commitment to creating an internationalized academic environment for all talents. Standing in the East and rising toward the sun, EIT is thriving with more talented people, not only providing impetus for the university's research and innovation but also demonstrating a broader influence on the global academic stage.
