Author:KOROMA Abu Bakarr

On November 9, 2023,SPA of UESTC successfully held the "China in my Eyes——Development and Future" Award Ceremony and Workshop for International Students at the 401 Lecture Hall on the Qingshuihe Campus. The event aimed to showcase the unique perspectives of international students on China and provide a platform for them to share their learning and engage in discussions. Esteemed guests present at the scene included Professor Chris Nyland and his wife Nyland Berenice from Australia, Professor Ferdie Mostert, 2023 Youth Excellence Scholarship winner Junaid Ashiq Khan, Chairman of the School Council Mr. Zhengyu Tao, Vice Chairman of the School Council Mr. Yang Zhifan, Cai Mingjun from the School of International Education, Fan Xin and Long Yi, and young scholars from the School of Public SPA. The event was moderated by Prof. Zhao Shurong, Director of CWAS of UESTC, with international students of SPA attending the event.

The event began with a warm welcome from Professor Zhao, who enthusiastically greeted the guests and international students in attendance, and introduced the important guests present at the meeting. Amidst the applause, Professor Zhao Shurong officially announced the start of the event. Subsequently, Professor Zhao presided over the "China in my Eyes——Development and Future" Award Ceremony. The awardees were warmly recognized and praised during the ceremony. Their essays not only demonstrated their deep thoughts and understanding of China but also conveyed a positive attitude towards China's development and well wishes. The awardees went on stage to receive their awards and delivered brief speeches expressing their gratitude to China, UESTC, SPA and CWAS of UESTC.

Following the award ceremony, Professor Chris Nyland from Australia delivered a fascinating lecture on "Rights and Interests Protection of International Students from a Policy Perspective." He delved into the importance of protecting the rights and interests of international students from a policy standpoint and shared the experiences and practices of other countries in this regard. The international students actively participated in the lecture, raising questions and engaging in in-depth discussions with Professor Nyland.

Next, Junaid Ashiq Khan, the recipient of the 2023 Youth Excellence Scholarship, shared his experience working at the World Health Organization. He vividly described his work and achievements at the WHO, showcasing his role and contributions within the international organization.

This event provided a platform for international students to learn from and engage with each other, enabling them to gain a better understanding of China. Additionally, it demonstrated SPA's commitment and support for international student education, providing them with more learning opportunities and resources. SPA will continue to organize similar activities to promote exchanges and cooperation between international students and China, offering further support and assistance for their learning and growth.