Photo: Deng Xiaoci/GT

The Eighth Belt and Road Teenagers Makers Camp and Teacher Workshop kicked off on Tuesday afternoon in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Distinguished guests from all over the world shared their personal experiences with the Global Times on the sidelines of this multilateral event, held under the framework of China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). They praised it as an invaluable platform for addressing practical issues in local education sectors and promoting people-to-people exchanges.

This year's Belt and Road Teenagers Makers Camp and Teacher Workshop, the eighth edition since it started in 2017, is organized by the China Association of Science and Technology, China's Ministry of Science and Technology, Yunnan provincial government. Nearly 300 educational professionals and students from over 30 countries, a record high, are participating the event running from July 23 to 28. 

It is my fourth time to participant in this event, and the cutting-edge science that students engage in at very young ages has remained for me the most inspiring and most impressive, Jackie Kado, executive director of the Kenya-based Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), which is the umbrella organization for 30 science academies in Africa, told the Global Times. 

According to Kado, there are difficulties in developing science education in Africa as people believe that science is a difficult subject that only boys can pursue. Additionally, the capacity of science laboratories with relevant scientific equipment to motivate learning in schools has remained limited. Furthermore, it is hard to build a high earning career, making it difficult to attract young people.

China-Africa cooperation can improve science education in Africa by cultivating a culture of exchange among students and experts. Such exchanges open doors to more opportunities for both students and teachers to collaborate to overcome a myriad of challenges in science and technology, she said.

She remarked that there are resources and skills that are uniquely available in either China or Africa that can add value to different scientific fields and spur the innovative potential of students of science.

Young participants from Tunisia and Sri Lanka pose for a picture at the opening ceremony of the Eighth Belt and Road Teenagers Makers Camp and Teacher Workshop on July 23, 2024 in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Photos: Deng Xiaoci/GT

Manzoor H Soomro, winner of the Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2020 and vice-president of the Belt and Road International Science Education Consortium (BRISEC), has been a key force behind the camp since its inception in 2017. This year marks his eighth participation.

"I really love the Chinese approach and development. In the Western world, developed countries often feel superior. But in the East, there is a wisdom that keeps you humble and open to collaboration, much like the original Belt and Road story where people learned from each other, fostering much science and technology," he told the Global Times.

Commenting on the significance of the youth camp under the BRI, Manzoor emphasized that people-to-people exchanges carry their own momentum. These interactions go beyond formal economic cooperation and collaboration.

"The younger generation is the future," Manzoor noted. "Today's teenagers are tomorrow's leaders, and this camp helps them build networks. Not all participants will pursue science and technology - some will enter administration, finance, foreign affairs, policy-making, and other fields. The connections and trust they build as children will be invaluable."

He continued, "When they become national leaders, the understanding and networks they formed will help build businesses and mutual benefits. Globally, they can also work together for betterment at the UN level."

"The beauty of science and technology diplomacy is that it focuses on issues and solutions universally, without political interference. With this mindset, even in politics, they will think positively and pursue cooperation. Connecting with the younger generation will sustain this mindset, institutionalizing it," he said.

Photo: Deng Xiaoci/GT

 

Photo: Deng Xiaoci/GT

Frankly speaking, in Malaysia, we are facing some real challenges. The number of high school students opting to major in science streams in colleges and universities is decreasing, which is not healthy. Hopefully, the eye-opening camp activities will help reverse that step by step, Bok-min Goi, a professor at Malaysia's Tunku Abdul Rahman University in Kuala Lumpur, told the Global Times on Monday.

The student maker camps help young students gain hands-on experience, fostering their creativity and innovation, and making them more confident in choosing science and engineering paths. Additionally, the sharing and interaction with students from different cultural backgrounds build relationships, he said. They will meet many friends from all over the world, possibly forming lasting connections starting from this week.

To make science and technology cool again, to make students self-motivated in science learning, and to help them fall in love with science, we must return to hands-on experiments. Just learning theory and memorizing formulas is quite boring, and it was challenging to have such experiences during the pandemic for two years. We need to go to labs, make mistakes, and even break some instruments - that's how you learn from experience. It becomes cool and unforgettable, he noted.

The professor also praised the fundamental research achievements China has attained in recent years, saying they are the most impressive. Due to strong fundamental research, it is obvious that China has made advancements in manufacturing, such as in the field of electric vehicles.

Young participants from Indonesia pose for a picture at the opening ceremony of the Eighth Belt and Road Teenagers Makers Camp and Teacher Workshop on July 23, 2024 in Kunming, Yunnan Province.

Ecaterina Mariei, 17, from Romania, told the Global Times that it feels like a dream to be here, and seeing all these people and traditions is an amazing feeling.

Mariei said she was amazed by the Chinese cutting-edge science and technology exposition, calling it a "magical saga" that impressed her the most. Robots, drones, and electric cars were all eye-opening treats for her.

"I will definitely apply for a scholarship to study in China and major in biology and chemistry or medicine, which I recently found interesting," she said. "To prepare for that, I will start learning Chinese as soon as I get back home."

Mariei said she would love to attend this camp many more times without hesitation and would share and recommend such amazing activities to her friends back home.

Shihab Ahmed Mohammed Al Jabri, 17, from Oman, said it was his first visit to China, and he quickly fell in love with the country, especially the friendly people.

"Everyone on the street would say hello and smile at me. I don't feel like I've come to another country; I feel at home," he shared.

Shihab is passionate about science and innovation and mentioned that he has developed inventions in Oman to address camel protection and reduce traffic accidents caused by stray animals.

Before coming to China, Shihab thought it was a country focused on jobs and industries, as almost everything in Oman is labeled "Made in China."

However, after arriving, he discovered that Yunnan offers another perspective of China with its green ecology and beautiful weather.

Amazed by the hands-on experience with drones in China, Shihab said that he plans to visit Yunnan again after the next semester.