Alumni bridge China and world

When Muhammad Majid Riaz arrived in Shanghai on a rainy night in November 2017, he saw the city first through the windows of the airport, not knowing that it would become the place where he would study, work and build a future.

Nearly a decade later, the 32-year-old Pakistani radio frequency engineer still remembers that night as the beginning of his China story.

Riaz came to Shanghai through a language education opportunity supported by the Pakistani government. His interest in China had been sparked by the professionalism of Chinese colleagues he had worked with in Pakistan, as well as by his curiosity about Chinese culture.

The two-year language program at Shanghai University gave him the foundation he needed to continue his studies in China. In 2019, he was admitted to a master's program at the university, marking another important step in his academic and personal development.

Outside the classroom, Riaz immersed himself in campus activities and traditional Chinese culture. He developed a particular interest in tai chi and martial arts and joined several summer camps that took him to different parts of the country.

"The diversity and inclusiveness of Chinese culture left a deep impression on me. By the time I graduated, I had traveled to more than 30 cities across China and experienced both the beautiful scenery and the dynamic development of different regions," Riaz said.

After graduation, he began working at a leading Chinese multinational company in the global wireless communications sector. He said his education and career in China have allowed him to contribute to practical cooperation between China and Pakistan in high-tech industries, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

Riaz is one of many international alumni of Shanghai University who have turned their study experience in China into careers linking China with the wider world.

According to Li Yingjie, dean of the College of International Education at Shanghai University, the university began enrolling international students in 1966. By the end of last year, it had educated more than 30,000 international students from over 160 countries.

These alumni now work in fields ranging from politics and diplomacy to business, trade, culture and education, playing active roles in exchanges between China and other countries, Li said.

Among them is Amzath Ahmed, Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources of the Maldives, who studied at Shanghai University for 12 years after arriving in 2003.

"Without the education I received at Shanghai University, I would not be who I am today," Amzath said at a campus celebration on May 15. "It gave us more than knowledge. It shaped our character, attitude, resilience and worldview. It taught us how to adapt to change, respect different cultures, think independently and serve society with a sense of responsibility."

In the business sector, Vietnamese alumnus Le Minh Quan, general manager of Mainland Group, found both his career path and his life partner during his years in Shanghai.

Le earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at Shanghai University between 2003 and 2010. His wife, Vu Tran Minh, another Vietnamese alumna, studied at the university from 2005 to 2013. Before she could speak fluent Chinese, Vu was already able to sing Chinese songs.

The couple met on campus, began their careers in Shanghai and later returned to Vietnam with their two children. They now run a business selling rubber products to the Chinese market.

"Shanghai gave me many opportunities," Le said. "When I was a student, I worked part time as a translator for Vietnamese business owners. I learned a lot from them, and those experiences helped guide my future direction."

Le said his familiarity with both Chinese and Vietnamese cultures has become an important advantage in business. Studying in China, he added, is not only about learning the language, but also about understanding the culture, business environment and way of thinking.

"China is a huge market and is taking the lead in many areas, including new energy vehicles, drones, robotics, artificial intelligence and 5G technology," he said. "I see more international students coming to China not only for education, but also for opportunities for cooperation."

The number of international students in China has continued to grow in recent years. According to education authorities, more than 380,000 international students from 191 countries and regions studied, conducted research or took part in training programs at more than 1,100 universities, research institutes and other educational institutions across China during the 2024-25 academic year, a 15 percent increase from the previous year.

Zamir Ahmed Awan, founding chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance and also an alumnus of Shanghai University, said China's development and growing international engagement have made it increasingly attractive to young people around the world.

Taking Pakistan as an example, Awan said about 30,000 Pakistani students are currently studying in China.

"International students are very important. They are young, and they are the future," he said. "Learning more about China and Chinese culture can greatly support their own careers and help them contribute to the future of the world."

For Riaz, the years he spent studying in Shanghai continue to shape his work, identity and understanding of cooperation between China and Pakistan.

"I developed my roots and grew in Shanghai and China, and it made me who I am today," Riaz said. "I will continue to act as a bridge between the two countries and help strengthen people-to-people connections."