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Rakotondrasoa Sahaza Delis is an outstanding alumnus from Madagascar and a recipient of the Anso Scholarship. He came to China in 2016 and later earned a Master’s degree in Science Communication from the University of Science and Technology of China in 2024. Currently, he works as a scientific photographer with the SciVisual team in Hefei, documenting China’s major scientific facilities and innovations, including the EAST “Artificial Sun,” the BEST fusion device, the LHAASO observatory, and the “Zuchongzhi-2” quantum computer. Through his photography, he transforms complex scientific achievements into compelling visual stories for global audiences.<\/p>\n
His work has received wide recognition, earning awards in national science communication and digital media competitions, as well as honors from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 2025, he won Third Prize in the Chinese-language category of the Third Anhui Story Sharing Contest for Foreigners. Featured by major media outlets such as China Media Group, China News Service, and China Daily, Sahaza Delis has become an inspiring international communicator who uses photography to showcase China’s scientific progress and strengthen people-to-people exchanges between China and the world.<\/p>\n
A New Chapter in Hefei<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n In September 2016, I set foot on Chinese soil for the very first time.Leaving my distant homeland of Madagascar, I arrived in Nanchang,Jiangxi, to study Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language at JiangxiNormal University. Studying abroad had been my greatest dreamsince high school. In my country, many students choose to pursuefurther studies in France, but I always felt drawn to a different path.It was my high school principal who encouraged me to considerChina. She told me that Mandarin would become one of the world’ smost important languages and that mastering it would opencountless doors. At that time, the Confucius Institute had just beenestablished in Madagascar. I studied there for a year and a half andwas eventually awarded the Confucius Institute Scholarship, whichbrought me to China.<\/p>\n The true turning point in my life came in 2020, the day I arrived inHefei and was admitted to the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).<\/p>\n Pursuing Passion with Support<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n During my undergraduate years, I discovered aphotography and video production. I participated in several filmcompetitions and was fortunate enough to win awards. As graduationapproached, I became increasingly certain that I wanted to continueon this creative path. Coincidentally, USTC had just launched itsMaster’ s program in Journalism and Communication. Summoning Shortly after, I received an email from my future supervisor, ProfessorZhang Yanxiang, requesting a research proposal. To this day, I stillremember the surge of joy upon receiving his reply. Even morefortunately, I was awarded the ANSO Scholarship (Alliance ofInternational Science Organizations). This scholarship not only fundedmy master’ s studies but also allowed me to explore my passion herein China with peace of mind. For this, I will forever be grateful to USTCand the Chinese Academy of Sciences.<\/p>\n The Warmth of Science<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n My time at USTC taught me that science is far more than formulas anddata confined within laboratory walls; it possesses warmth, emotion, and beauty.<\/p>\n During my master’ s studies, I joined the “Investigation of HandmadePaper” project-a niche field often referred to as a “cold rarity” inacademia. We traveled across China, documenting the lives and culturesof artisans who still practice traditional papermaking techniques. Mysupervisor and I were responsible for visual documentation, utilizingphotography, videography, VR, and 3D scanning technologies to digitallypreserve these crafts.<\/p>\n Later, I joined the “In the Lab” Science-Art Photography Project led byProfessor Liang Yan. This experience transformed me completely. As ahumanities student, I had never truly stepped into a scientific laboratory.”In the Lab” gave me repeated opportunities to enter previouslyinaccessible spaces: large-scale experimental apparatuses, national keylaboratories, and cutting-edge research platforms. For the first time, Irealized that science could be so shocking and so romantic. It is notmerely cold technology; it is an imagination of humanity’s future.It was then that I fell in love with “Science Photography.”<\/p>\n Witnessing the “Artificial Sun”<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n I have photographed many major national scientific facilities, but none lefta deeper impression on me than EAST-the Experimental AdvancedSuperconducting Tokamak, known to the public as the “Artificial Sun.”As a child in Madagascar, I had heard rumors that China was researching an”Artificial Sun.” Never did I imagine that one day, I would stand before thiscolossal device and document it with my own hands. When I first walkedonto Science Island and saw EAST, I gasped involuntarily: “It’ s so huge!”The massive mechanical structures, the intricate precision equipment, andthe profound human quest for future energy filled me with indescribableawe. Knowing that this device must withstand temperatures close to thecore of the sun, I developed a deep reverence for the scientists workingsilently behind it.<\/p>\n The moment I raised my camera, I realized: perhaps my mission is to usevisual storytelling to bring this invisible world of science to the public.Subsequently, I participated in filming projects for the LHAASO Cosmic Ray Observatory and the Meridian Space Weather Monitoring Project. Every EAST shoot felt like entering LHAASO another universe.<\/p>\n Embracing Culture and Life<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond science, I fell deeply in love with Chinese culture and daily life. During my years at USTC, I won the “Activity Participation Award” from the International College for two consecutive years. Whenever I had time, I signed up for cultural events.<\/p>\n I paddled dragon boats, learned paper-cutting, danced Chinese classical dance, visited new energy enterprises, marveled at China’ s highest bridges, and even made kites by hand. These experiences taught me that Chinese culture is not just a concept in textbooks, but a lifestyle to be lived. To me, the most beautiful aspect of USTC is spring. Being a lover of nature, the campus cats, flowers, and trees often become my “dedicated models.” The Cherry Blossom Avenue, blooming every year, is a view I can never tire of capturing, even after all these years.<\/p>\n Recognition and Shared Success<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n Over the years, I have been fortunate to receive several accolades. I won First Prize in the “Quantum Information and Quantum Technology”Science Popularization Competition and received awards at the CASScience Popularization Competition for two consecutive years. I alsoearned honors in the National College Digital Art Design Competition.One of my award-winning works was a documentary on handmade papermaking filmed in Yunnan and Sichuan, where we used digital technology to aid in cultural heritage preservation. Later, I participated in the Third “Foreigners Telling Anhui Stories” Contest, sharing my experiences photographing the EAST and BEST devices in Chinese, winning third prize in the Mandarin category.<\/p>\n The most unexpected honor was being interviewed by CCTV News for their “Xinwen Zou Jiceng”(News Goes to the Grassroots) series. Seeing my storyfeatured on national media filled me with pride, but I am acutely awarethat these honors do not belong to me alone. They belong to the”SciVisual” team, to USTC, to my mentors, and to my fellow partners. Without them, there would be no me today.<\/p>\n Profession with Virtues, Mind with Hands<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n USTC’ s motto is “Profession with Virtues, Mind with Hands” (Hong Zhuan Bing Jin, Li ShiJiao Rong. As an international student, my understanding of this phrase evolved gradually.<\/p>\n Through my involvement in science photography and cultural research, I came to understand that “Mind with Hands” is not just about combining knowledge with action; it means science can step out of the lab and connect with art, culture, and society. “Profession with Virtues” represents a sense of responsibility. It made me ask myself: Can I, as a communicator, use my skills to tell the story of science to the world?<\/p>\n USTC did not train me to be a scientist, but it showed me that science and art can walk hand in hand, and that rationality and passion can coexist. This is perhaps my greatest harvest here.<\/p>\n A Second Hometown<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n Today, Hefei has become my “second hometown.” Over the years, I have witnessed this city grow exponentially: expanding subways, soaring bridges, and breakthroughs in nuclear fusion, quantum technology, and new energy. It is a city brimming with futuristic vitality. And I hope to continue using my lens to document the China I see.<\/p>\n A Message to Future Scholars<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n If I could say one thing to young people hoping to apply for the ANSO Scholarship and study at USTC, it would be this: I, too, crossed an ocean to come to China starting with a scholarship. From a humanities student who knew almost nothing about science, to someone standing before the “Artificial Sun,” recording the stories of Chinese science through the lens. The journey was not easy, but USTC gave me the confidence to pursue it. Here, you will discover that science is more than formulas and data; it can be seen, touched, and expressed through art. A scholarship isnever just a ticket. What matters most is that it leads you to Rakotondrasoa Sahaza Delis is an outstanding alumnus from Madagascar and a recipient of the Anso Scholarship. He came to China in 2016 and later earned a Master’s degree in Science Communication from the University of Science and Technology of China in 2024. Currently, he works as a scientific photographer with the SciVisual team in Hefei, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-6205","alumni","type-alumni","status-publish","hentry","alumni-category-alumni-submissions"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ic.ustc.edu.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/alumni\/6205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ic.ustc.edu.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/alumni"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ic.ustc.edu.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/alumni"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ic.ustc.edu.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/alumni\/6205\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6210,"href":"https:\/\/ic.ustc.edu.cn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/alumni\/6205\/revisions\/6210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ic.ustc.edu.cn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nmy courage,I submitted my application.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ic.ustc.edu.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/\u56fe\u724747-1.png\")
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\nApply boldly, and cherish it earnestly.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\na broaderworld.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"