Tapiwa Mpofu, a student from Zimbabwe studying at Ningbo Polytechnic (NBPT), secured first place at the Africa Tech Challenge Season IX (ATC). He shared the stage with fellow international students from Ghana, Rwanda, and Côte d'Ivoire at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation—China-Africa-UNESCO Dialogue in Education and Cultural Heritage Protection. The students represented nine vocational colleges in China, including Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Jinhua University of Vocational Technology, and NBPT.
MAKWITI and his peers began their journey at NBPT one year and a half ago after a rigorous selection process. They received comprehensive training courses covering basic drawing, theoretical calculations, mechanical design, parts processing, assembly, electrical wiring, programming, and final product inspection, through a "1+1.5+0.5" program designed to prepare them as highly skilled mechatronics professionals via joint training between China and Zimbabwe.
Ningbo Polytechnic (NBPT) has been actively involved in international cooperation, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, and exploring innovative methods for localized talent development and technical services tailored to the needs of Chinese companies expanding globally. By partnering with enterprises operating overseas, the college has facilitated cultural exchanges and technical sharing, helping to export skilled professionals to Africa and other developing regions to address international demands. To date, through the "China AID Vocational Training Center" under the Ministry of Commerce, NBPT has trained over 4,500 students from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, including more than 100 students from 18 African countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Tanzania. Additionally, NBPT has dispatched 28 teachers to Benin, Uganda, and Kenya to provide educational support.
