Recently, Twenty-four faculty members and students majoring in Optical Communication Engineering from the College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University, visited ZKTel Equipment Co., Ltd. in Shaoxing for an in-depth practice and exchange activity bridging classroom learning and frontline industry practices. Filled with enthusiasm for exploring the practical application of optical communication theories, these junior undergraduates embarked on a distinctive journey of “chasing light”.

 Touring the Exhibition Hall: Experiencing the Solid Strength of a “Little Giant” Up Close

In the morning, the practice group arrived and toured ZKTel’s exhibition hall. Guided by the head of the company’s R&D department, teachers and students learned about ZKTel’s development history, core products and industrial layout. As a high-tech enterprise focusing on the R&D and manufacturing of high-end optical chips, optical devices and optical modules, and one of the first national-level Key Specialized and Sophisticated “Little Giant” Enterprises, ZKTel’s products are widely adopted in key sectors including domestic and international data communications, 5G networks and AI supercomputing.

Students paused repeatedly to observe the elaborately manufactured Shaoxing-made optical modules, gaining direct insight into the pivotal role played by this local enterprise within the optical communication industrial chain. On site, the company’s R&D manager started with the fundamental principles of optical fiber communication, explaining in plain terms how optical modules realize electro-optical signal conversion, while introducing the company’s multiple technological breakthroughs in high speed and high integration.

Entering the Workshop: Witnessing the Birth of Optical Modules

With a preliminary understanding of the products, the practice group proceeded to the advanced packaging & testing workshop for optical modules and R&D laboratories. Outside the Class 1000 cleanroom, students observed the full workflow from optical chip coupling and optical device packaging to module testing through glass walls. Inside the workshop, automated equipment operated at high speed, while R&D engineers debugged the latest generation of products. The R&D manager elaborated on how advanced packaging and testing technologies ensure superior performance and high reliability of products, as well as the company’s explorations and practices in tackling core technologies subject to supply chain bottlenecks.

 In-depth Dialogue: General Manager Discusses the “Light-chasing” Path with Students

Following the tour, a unique forum brought the event to its climax. Wang Miaoqing, General Manager of ZKTel, together with leaders from the R&D department, held an open discussion with Zhejiang University teachers and students amid a lively interactive atmosphere. Students seized the opportunity to raise active questions, which were answered thoroughly by the ZKTel team. Topics covered trending issues such as future trends of the optical communication industry, impacts of AI computing power on high-speed optical module development, and the transition from campus to workplace.

Later, drawing from his entrepreneurial experience, Mr. Wang shared the company’s journey from startup to a Key “Little Giant” enterprise. He emphasized that optical communications serve as the “blood vessels and nerves” of the digital economy, with growing strategic value amid explosive growth in AI computing power. He encouraged students to build confidence in their discipline, pursue rigorous studies, devote themselves to this sunrise industry of optical communications, focus on real industrial demands, and contribute their expertise to expanding Zhejiang’s optical communication industrial cluster and enhancing the competitiveness of the industrial chain. He specially noted the long-standing collaboration between ZKTel and Zhejiang University. The two parties have jointly participated in Zhejiang’s Jianbing and Lingyan R&D programs to jointly tackle technologies for silicon photonic transceivers.

At the end of the forum, Mr. Wang extended a sincere job offer to outstanding students present. He stated that ZKTel regards talent as the primary driver of corporate development. Currently at a critical stage of technological breakthroughs and capacity expansion, the company urgently needs professional talents to fuel its growth. He warmly invited ambitious Zhejiang University graduates dedicated to optical communications to join the ZKTel team. They can grow through real research projects and engineering challenges, “chase light” alongside the company, and jointly write a new chapter for China’s optical communication industry.