Edu

A Path Towards Agricultural Innovation At 31, Kong Qi (孔七) from Rwanda is not just a student but a symbol of agricultural transformation. A doctoral student at Anhui Agricultural University, Kong has made it his mission to bring modern agricultural techniques back to his home country. Specializing in maize breeding, he arrived in China in 2019, supported by a Chinese government scholarship. Today, he is pursuing a Ph.D. while working on research that has the potential to change the agricultural landscape in Rwanda and beyond. Kong's research focuses on studying the effects of high temperatures and drought on maize pollen, aiming to develop heat- and drought-resistant varieties. His work couldn't be more relevant in today's world, where climate change is threatening food security, especially in countries like Rwanda, where maize is a staple crop. "Back home, maize is a vital crop, but agricultural technology is still quite underdeveloped. China has advanced techniques and is willing to share them with countries that need help. I want to take this knowledge back to Rwanda and contribute to the development of our agriculture," Kong explains. His journey from Rwanda to China is more than just an academic pursuit—it's a mission to improve food…

In a world where cultural exchanges often remain confined to superficial interactions, some individuals strive to dive deeper, forging genuine connections that transcend borders. Francisco Ford Hardman, a 72-year-old Brazilian professor at the State University of Campinas, is one such person. His journey is not just about understanding China from an academic standpoint but also immersing himself in its rich, intricate tapestry of life, culture, and people. The Unexpected Voyage of a Literary Explorer Hardman’s first encounter with China was in 2013, when he attended a conference on Brazilian literature and culture at the University of Macau. This initial visit, which included a brief stop in Beijing, sparked a fascination that would see him return to China five more times. But it was his experience as a guest professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University in 2019 that truly deepened his connection to the country. The role, which initially appeared to be a straightforward academic appointment, evolved into a profound personal journey, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020. During this period, while the world was grappling with uncertainty, Hardman found solace in the camaraderie and warmth of his Chinese colleagues and students. This solidarity witnessed during such trying…

From Kuala Lumpur to Beijing: The Dream That Started It All In the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, a young man named Qu Baiquan (区栢铨) harbored a dream that seemed unconventional to many around him. In 2019, as he filled out his university applications, Qu made a bold decision: he wanted to study broadcasting at one of China's most prestigious media universities. Qu's desire to study in China was not a sudden whim but a seed planted during his childhood. Growing up in a Chinese-Malaysian family, Qu was exposed to Chinese culture and media from an early age. He vividly recalls watching the 2008 Beijing Olympics on television, enchanted by the mascots and the grandeur of the event. This fascination with China deepened during a high school study tour in 2016, when he visited Shanghai and Hangzhou. The experience left an indelible mark on him, sparking a feeling of connection that he had never felt before—a sense of returning home despite being in a foreign land. In Malaysia, Chinese culture is preserved and passed down through various means, including Chinese education, community organizations, and the media. However, the Chinese spoken there is often interspersed with Malay, English, and regional dialects,…