Published on: 2026-08-31
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Xi’an, August 31 /Xinhua/ — A young Turkmen woman, Aidzhakhan Iskenderova, who came to China a year ago to study Chinese at the Institute of International Education at the Northwest A&F University in Shaanxi Province, recently made an important decision: instead of returning to her homeland to continue her studies in “education management,” she applied to the master’s program in “soil science” at the same university.
The choice was not random: the university is located in Yanlin – the first national demonstration zone of high and new agricultural technologies in China, which is also the official base of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for the exchange of agricultural technologies and training of specialists. Since 2007, this university has already trained more than 600 students from SCO countries.
Moreover, during the international training on agricultural technologies within the framework of cooperation to reduce poverty, held here last year, A. Iskenderova worked as a volunteer translator for a delegation from Turkmenistan. At that time, her compatriots participating in the event advised her to apply for a Chinese government scholarship, and she herself, seeing the scale of the agricultural cooperation platform being created here, decided on a new specialty.
Getting acquainted with the culture and everyday life of China through the university program “Discover China” further strengthened her desire to continue her studies in the Middle Kingdom. During thematic trips, she visited many regions of China, learned about advanced modern technologies, and the dynamic development of cities. “My classmates, teachers, and I celebrated Chinese holidays together: we pasted paired inscriptions on doors for the Spring Festival, made dumplings, and tried mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival. These warm moments truly helped me feel the unique charm of Chinese culture and the sincere hospitality of the local people,” shares A. Iskenderova.
At the end of 2018, the aforementioned university, with the approval of the State Committee for the Management of the Fund for Students Studying Abroad, joined the implementation of the socio-practical project “Discover China,” organized by the Ministry of Education of the PRC for foreign students studying in China. Based on the agricultural specifics during the learning process, the project organizes and carries out various practical activities under the name “Discover China.” Education for foreign students here is not limited to classroom sessions: international students actively visit modern plantations of grapes, pumpkins, nectarines, and other agricultural crops in Shaanxi Province, visit local farmers’ homes, deeply gaining practical experience in realizing the rural revitalization strategy, as well as learning about China’s efforts in agricultural development and environmental protection.
A similar path in choosing a profession was taken by a student from Pakistan, Muhammad Atal Shah, who adopted the Chinese name Tian Qigan. Three years ago, he came to the Northwest A&F University for studies in horticulture, and now he has already obtained a master’s degree and has begun preparing a research project for the doctoral training phase.
His native region in the northwest of Pakistan has climatic conditions similar to Shaanxi Province. However, the agricultural sector of Pakistan as a whole lags behind in development, especially when it comes to apple cultivation. Tian Qigan had long known that Shaanxi is a leader in apple production in China, so he specifically came here to study modern agricultural technologies.
Before arriving in China in 2023, the young man had an extremely limited understanding of China, which, due to a lack of reliable information, was reduced to a language barrier, specific cuisine, and the hostility of some local residents. However, reality completely disproved all the rumors. “Every time I asked for help, the support provided by the Chinese exceeded all my expectations. Today, thanks to mutual visits, citizens of China and Pakistan feel at home living and working in each other’s countries,” he noted.
Active participation in the university’s cultural and social projects allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of the history and development of China. During the tour of the Xi’an city wall and the Terracotta Army complex, he was struck by the scale of the historical monuments and the Chinese people’s careful attitude toward their cultural heritage. “They attach great importance to their history and culture and carefully preserve various historical monuments and relics in an intact state, which is worthy of our study and imitation,” says Tian Qigan.
Indian student Sed Shane Alam also parted ways with stereotypical notions about China thanks to the “Discover China” program. During social internships, he recorded a series of videos about how rural households keep and raise livestock in clean conditions, government measures for environmental protection and forest restoration, as well as clean and bright classrooms in Chinese primary schools, among other topics, and published them on social media.
His content has gathered over 20,000 followers. Many users from India message him privately on social media, asking questions about how to come to China. “My parents have also become interested in China and want to come here for a trip,” says the Indian student.
Even before the start of the new academic semester, A. Iskenderova had already decided on the topic of her scientific work in the master’s program – reclamation of saline soils. “The majority of Turkmenistan’s territory is affected by soil salinization, making local lands unsuitable for growing agricultural crops. Moreover, like China, our country has vast desertified areas that require urgent restoration. I want to study this topic in depth and, upon returning home after completing my studies, apply the knowledge gained in China about modern land reclamation technologies to the lands of my region,” shared A. Iskenderova.
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