International students and teachers pose for a photo during the Shenzhen Technology University’s International Week in Pingshan in late September. Photos from the university

From Sept. 22 to 26, nearly 60 presidents from universities including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Singapore, and Finland, professors and senior firm officers, and over 60 international students spent a week at the Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) in Pingshan District for the university’s 2025 International Week.

According to SZTU, this year’s International Week has seen the largest number of visiting students and faculty since its launch. The International Week includes cultural activities but also insightful lectures offered by SZTU and visiting professors and the International Forum, which spotlights education and talent cultivation.

SZTU and visiting professors deliver lectures and students engage in discussions.

Bettina Maisch, a professor with Munich University of Applied Sciences, emphasized the significance of international exchange. “Significant tensions exist in the world today, and mutual cultural understanding can effectively prevent future conflicts. My experience living in China has led me to a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture. This understanding is not about judging what is good or bad, but rather about recognizing the existence of differences.” 

“When we can comprehend each other’s ways of behaving from different perspectives, we realize that many conflicts stem not from malice, but from differing ways of thinking and operating — this is crucial,” she said. She hopes that students will develop a curiosity about other cultures through the International Week activities.

Lucas Gillert, a student from Nuremberg Institute of Technology, said he used to learn about China from German newspapers and other media. But participating in this event allowed him to see the country in a completely new way. “The beautiful modern campus environment of SZTU further increased my fondness for this place. Many of us felt that perhaps we should have stayed here for six months, because our time in China, at SZTU, has been truly wonderful,” said Gillert.

International students tour the SZTU campus.

The SZTU Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Festival was also held during its 2025 International Week, creating a platform for foreign exchange students to explore traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and discuss culture inheritance.

Ming Zhong, vice president of SZTU, said that the university, as the only higher education institution in Shenzhen offering a program in Chinese pharmacy, has been actively promoting the inheritance and development of TCM culture.

By organizing events such as the TCM Culture Festival, the university further enhances the understanding and recognition of TCM culture among both domestic and international faculty and students, facilitating the global communication and exchange of TCM culture, according to Ming.

Students explore traditional Chinese medicine and receive massages.

The festival set up six themed exhibition areas to showcase TCM culture, provide interactive experiences, and promote industrial matchmaking. On site, AI massage robots garnered attention from international students. They all expressed that the experience provided by robots was beyond their expectations.

Gillert noted that originally he just wanted to try the machine to help release pressure from his back, but the result was very positive. “It was impressive how the robot provided both the right massage intensity and accurate acupoint targeting. A quick 10-minute session really made a difference in relaxing my tight back muscles,” said Gillert.

International students and teachers try traditional Chinese musical instruments.

Students and teachers write and present their Chinese calligraphy works.