Students blazing a trail for Belt and Road future

China has a lot of experience to share with developing countries that are working toward industrialization, he says. And for the Belt and Road Initiative to be successful, together with the "going out" policy that has so far seen Chinese firms venture beyond their borders, technical education has to go global too.

"China also has something to learn from others as it seeks to expand its global reach. We, as a technical institution have to meet this rising demand and thus do things differently. We have just started and I believe there is a lot to learn from the foreign students already in Ningbo," he says.

His words certainly resonate well with 23-year-old Beril Imali, who is taking architectural classes.

"I know the skills and technology here are well advanced but I believe that we will become the game changers back home," she says.

Paul Kome, who will pursue a similar program, says he is already discussing with his graduate friends back home how to establish their own consultancy firm once he graduates.

"We cannot sit on our laurels and expect to secure jobs once we graduate. We will be the catalyst back home," he says determinedly.

They believe that the Belt and Road Initiative has already put Africa on the global map as the next frontier.

"Student exchange will offer us global job opportunities. I think it will also raise the benchmark on the quality of programs offered by colleges back home," says Lumayo.

lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn