On the afternoon of December 13, the final evaluation conference and award ceremony for the "Star International Students" of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2023 were held in the Lecture Hall of the Academic Activity Center. Noah Andrea Namwamba and Md Nurus Safa, both doctoral students from the School of Media and Communication (SMC), stood out among the twelve contestants and were honored as "Star International Students". In total, five international students from the university received this recognition.

 As the first contestant to take the stage, Noah displayed no signs of stage fright. He began by introducing his academic journey at the school, starting with the three "You" characters. He shared experiences such as serving as the translator for the Kenyan President and delegation, participating in the global short video contest "My China - Beautiful Villages", and taking part in the China-Kenya Friendship Photography Competition. Noah expressed that his life in China has been joyful and fulfilling. Finally, accompanied by beautiful music, he passionately recited "Qinyuanchun · Snow" to the audience.

Safa shared with the judges and the audience his journey of study and entrepreneurship in China. Having participated in the China International Import Expo six times, Safa expressed his hope to bring back the Chinese experiences of poverty alleviation and prosperity to his home country. With the support of the "Belt and Road" initiative, he aspires to effectively assist vulnerable groups in improving their living conditions and embrace a better future.

The SMC has consistently been dedicated to nurturing talents with a global perspective and international competitiveness. With nearly 300 international students currently enrolled, representing over 60 countries globally, the school boasts a diverse student body, including individuals from renowned institutions such as Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Washington, the University of Chicago, and more. The "Star International Students" selection event is a significant initiative by the SMC to identify exemplary models of international students who embody the principles of "Seeing China, Understanding China, and Speaking about China." This reflects the notable success of the school's efforts in international education.

Noah (NAMWAMBA NOAH ANDREA) hails from Kenya and is a Ph.D. student in the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, graduating in 2022. He has served as a translator for the Kenyan presidential delegation, a rural development recorder, a new media communication ambassador, an international representative for the Belt and Road Initiative, a speaker at international forums, and a participant in over 10 volunteer activities. He achieved the title of "Chinese Language Star" in the "Huaxia Cup" Chinese speech competition, secured third place in the "China-Kenya Friendly Photography Competition," and also took third place in the global short video contest "Beautiful Chinese Villages," showcasing his talents in photography and video production. In the "My Campus Story" competition, he earned second place, and in the "Sharing the Future" photography/video contest, he secured second place. Furthermore, he clinched first place in the "My View of Shanghai Jiao Tong University" video contest and served as the national student representative speaker at the World Youth Development Forum.

Safa (Md Nurus Safa) hails from Bangladesh and is a Ph.D. student in the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, graduating in 2017. His doctoral experience at Shanghai Jiao Tong University has transformed his career aspirations and influenced his professional plans. Safa initiated a handmade product business platform in Bangladesh, contributing to the local employment rate, especially among women. His company now employs over 2,000 women from Bangladesh. Through hard work, these women have increased their income and transformed their lives, thereby not only sustaining their livelihoods but also enabling better education for the next generation. In comparison to the past, they now experience a greater sense of happiness and fulfillment. This year marks Safa's sixth participation in the China International Import Expo.