International students have achieved excellent academic results and built a bridge for friendly exchanges between China and Africa. On the afternoon of January 30, 2024, China Communications Construction · China Road and Bridge Corporation and Beijing Jiaotong University jointly held a symposium in Nairobi, inviting representatives of Kenyan international students who had completed their studies and returned home. The purpose of this symposium is to share the experiences of international students studying abroad in China and their contributions in China Africa cooperation.

"I can learn Chinese martial arts," Isa Abdizarak shared his experience studying abroad in China. In addition to studying, he tasted many Chinese delicacies, reflecting Chinese culture and making many Chinese friends. "This is a great experience." Abdizarak was one of the first batch of international students to study in China in 2016. After graduation, he worked at the Kenya Railway Bureau.

In 2016, China Communications Construction Corporation, China Road and Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd. and Beijing Jiaotong University launched the the Belt and Road International Talent Joint Training Project in Kenya. Afterwards, a total of 100 Kenyan international students went to Beijing Jiaotong University to study under project funding. Nowadays, the vast majority of them have completed their studies and returned home, making positive contributions to Kenya's national development.

"The original intention of launching the international talent training project is to provide construction and management talents for the railway industry in Kenya and even the East African region," said Liu Chenghui, Deputy General Manager of China Road and Bridge Kenya Office.

"My experience of studying abroad in China has filled my life with infinite possibilities." Evelyn Mugenya studied Communication Engineering at Beijing Jiaotong University after graduating from high school in 2017 and is now an assistant engineer at the Kenya Railway Bureau. "Because of the the Belt and Road Initiative and the Mombasa Nairobi Railway, we have the opportunity to study in China, systematically learn railway knowledge and skills, and now we can also work in the Kenya railway system." Muganya said that in the future, we will also "be a good ambassador of friendship between Kenya and China, and tell a good story of cooperation between the two countries".

"We are not the only beneficiaries, and many Kenyans have benefited from the joint construction of the the Belt and Road." Margaret Mbugua, assistant engineer of the Kenya Railway Bureau and 2022 alumnus of Beijing Jiaotong University, took Mombasa Nairobi Railway as an example, and said that many people have benefited from technology transfer. "They all have a good life."

During the implementation of the Mombasa Nairobi Railway project, over 74000 direct and indirect job opportunities were created for Kenya, and over 2800 high-quality railway professionals were trained. China Road and Bridge Corporation has a 40 year history of development in Kenya, always committed to promoting local employment, technology transfer, and ensuring that the localization rate reaches over 90%. In the future, China Road and Bridge Corporation will continue to fulfill its mission and responsibility as a central enterprise, strive to create more high-quality and iconic projects, and actively cultivate local talents to contribute to the development of China Kenya friendship. Editor/Zhao E