On October 2, the Awards Ceremony for the 5th “China in My Eyes” Essay Contest was held at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). As part of the 2026 China‑Africa People‑to‑People Exchange Series, the event coincided with China’s National Day and the closing of the Ghana Governance Cadre Training Program. Participants of the Ghana training program attended to witness the ceremony. The event was hosted by Professor Zhao Shurong, Director of the Center for West African Studies and faculty member of the School of Public Administration, UESTC.

Centering on the practice of Digital China, the contest called for submissions from international students and overseas youth worldwide. A total of 109 essays were received, including entries from current international students and UESTC alumni studying or working overseas. After initial format review, 89 valid submissions went through anonymous evaluation by experts from the Institute of West‑Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The award list was publicized from September 1 to 5 with no valid objections received. No Grand Prize was awarded, and 13 awardees were selected in total.

Secretary Zheng Yutao from the School of Public Administration (UESTC), President Professor Bonsu of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and Professor Wu Min from Sichuan University served as presenters. They presented awards to on‑site student awardees. Xue Yudan, International Student Coordinator of the School, staff from Sichuan Provincial Cadre Training Base, and some international students also attended the activity.

Awardees come from multiple universities, including participants from GIMPA and former international graduates of UESTC. Drawing on their real‑life experiences, the winners narrated stories about China focusing on digital technology and smart cities, demonstrating cross‑cultural observations by young people from home and abroad.

As a signature people‑to‑people exchange program run by the Center for West African Studies, “China in My Eyes” builds cultural understanding through written works and enhances friendship among young people globally. Going forward, the Center for West African Studies will launch more exchange initiatives to present authentic stories of China in the new era.

Group photo taken at the Awards Ceremony for the 5th “China in My Eyes” Essay Contest

List of Awardees

First Prize (2): Eze Francis Ofoma, Seang Pich

Second Prize (2): Gul E Saher, Tooba Jabeen

Third Prize (4): BISHAL GURAGAI, Hammed Yusuf Akinteye, Adaobi Rosemary Ogueli, Dennis Gborglah

Excellence Awards (5): Saqiba Akbar, Muhammad Subhan Riaz, Hira Anwar, Huma Fida, EMILY ADJOA NYAMEYIE ASSAN

Text by CWAS team

Photos by Xupeifeng, Luohongquan

Edited by Zhangruiheng

Contributed by: School of Public Administration & Center for West African Studies of UESTC, University of Electronic Scienceand Technology of China