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Zambian Officials Engage Students on Development and Responsibility

On July 19, Dr. Gabriel Pollen, the Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development of Zambia, visited the Zijingang Campus of Zhejiang University. His visit was part of his engagement with Zambian students studying in China, taking place during a seminar for members of the Global Development Promotion Center in Hangzhou.

During this interaction, Dr. Pollen shared insights from the seminar, emphasizing the significance of Chinese modernization and its advancements in the digital economy. He encouraged the Zambian students to value their educational experience at Zhejiang University, urging them to apply their acquired knowledge and technology toward the development of Zambia, aiming to become future innovators and builders of their homeland.

The students who participated in this symposium came from diverse fields including architecture, civil engineering, clinical medicine, and agricultural economic management. Each student introduced their field of study and shared their experiences in China, expressing gratitude for the comprehensive training they received. They openly discussed how to adapt China's development experiences to Zambia’s industrial goals to support sustainable national progress.

Dr. Pollen's special arrangement to meet with the Zambian students during his busy schedule in China highlights the importance both countries place on international educational cooperation. This visit underscored the recognition of Zhejiang University’s role in developing international talent. The discussion left a profound impact on the students, who expressed appreciation for the opportunities afforded by the university.

Reflecting on his thoughts, a Zambian student emphasized the need for their generation to be sacrificial in building Zambia, similar to how China developed its economy. He noted that as young talents studying in esteemed institutions like Zhejiang University, they are in a unique position to learn from China's technological advancements, which they can later apply in their home country.

Another student voiced appreciation for China's readiness to share its technology globally, describing it as a valuable opportunity for developing nations like Zambia. This access could assist in propelling sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, and energy, ultimately accelerating Zambia’s national development.