Nanjing issues landmark overseas student visa

Mohamed Abdikane Hussein, a Kenyan postgraduate from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, or NUAA, was recently awarded Nanjing government's first visa for overseas students for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Majoring respectively in software engineering and management science during his bachelor's and master's studies, Hussein was inspired by his experience in China to develop a platform which enables foreign teachers in Nanjing to deliver English programming education to children aged 4 to 8 years old.

Officials said Hussein's idea – developed with a local partner and called ABCSTEM -- impressed people for its completeness. ABCSTEM is a program designed to children's capabilities in solving problems and thinking in an innovative, critical and logical way.

ABCSTEM stood out and claimed first prize at an innovation and entrepreneurship competition in Nanjing recently, which attracted the participation of 110 projects conceived by overseas students studying in China.

"Nanjing is my home away from home, and NUAA is like my mother," said Hussein, adding that he had received support from his surroundings and felt the warmth of the city.