As Ningbo's international education sector continues to grow, a group of foreign educators have made remarkable contributions to the city. Travelling across continents, they teach in classrooms, conduct research in laboratories, and serve as cultural ambassadors, building bridges between China and the rest of the world.
Established in 1996, Ningbo's "Camellia Award" honours outstanding foreign professionals. Nearly 40 experts in the education sector have received the honour. This year's laureates hail from Italy, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, Russia, Australia and beyond. Though they come from different countries, they are united by their wholehearted dedication to education in Ningbo.
Some foreign scholars at local universities are advancing cutting-edge research and bringing world-class expertise to Ningbo. Professor Paolo from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, an Italian specialist in power electronics, focuses on renewable-energy systems and green-transport power electronics. He combines theoretical teaching with practical projects and leads a provincial-level international joint laboratory for smart-grid technology. As the first foreign recipient of Ningbo's 2023 Young Science and Technology Innovation Award, he is also helping drive cross-border scientific collaboration.
Dr. Marcos has worked at NingboTech University for more than seven years. His research focuses on people-centred fields, including healthcare and public safety. His real-time human-motion analysis and intelligent data-collection systems have been put into practical use. He has also developed high-precision thickness-measuring equipment, providing cost-effective technical solutions for industrial testing and medical diagnosis.
These educators combine research excellence with a commitment to nurturing students and broadening their global horizons. Professor Jonathan Garibaldi, Executive President of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, has played a key role in promoting the university's high-quality development through strong leadership and international expertise.
The university's Class of 2025 achieved an undergraduate rate of 87.4% for pursuing further study. Nearly half of its graduates who pursued study overseas gained admission to universities ranked among the world's top 10, while 96.8% were admitted to institutions ranked among the global top 100. By attracting global talent aligned with Ningbo's industrial needs, the university has established partnerships with more than 160 international institutions and provides the city with a strong pool of high-calibre graduates to support its international development.
Vocational education also benefits from the dedication of foreign teachers. Geraldine, an Australian teacher at Ningbo Foreign Affairs School, has taught English for 15 years. She believes that language education goes beyond imparting knowledge to encompass cultural exchange and the development of critical thinking skills. Through role-play and group discussions, she creates authentic, real-life scenarios that make her language classes more engaging. She also introduces cultural background knowledge and provides students with one-on-one guidance. Her thoughtful approach has rekindled many students' passion for English.
Beyond teaching and research, these professionals also promote two-way cultural exchange. Ayana Kato, who has taught at the College of Science & Technology Ningbo University for eight years, serves as a cultural ambassador for Ningbo. She organises Japanese cultural activities on campus, produces short videos showcasing local life and folk customs, and serves as one of Cixi's first foreign communication ambassadors. Her social media accounts have attracted thousands of followers overseas. She also helps establish China-Japan internship bases to promote student exchanges.
Natalia Kasatkina, a distinguished professor at Zhejiang Wanli University, promotes educational and cultural ties between China and Russia. She organises bilingual lectures, online cross-border classes and youth forums, enabling thousands of Chinese and Russian students to interact. Under her initiative, a "2+2" student exchange agreement was signed with Yaroslavl State University of Russia in 2024. She introduces students to China's intangible cultural heritage while sharing Russian culture with them, strengthening educational and cultural ties between China and Central and Eastern Europe.
The "Camellia Award" represents Ningbo's recognition of outstanding foreign educators. Through years of dedicated service, these educators have demonstrated their deep commitment to Ningbo and contributed to the city's international development.
Reporters: Fan Ying, Zhao Ye
Translator: Yang Di