South African student Nokwazi Pretty Nkabinde from Nanjing University of Industry Technology replaces machine parts. [Photo/Nanjing University of Industry Technology]

In 2023, South African student Nokwazi Pretty Nkabinde, whose Chinese name is Luo Wanzi, came to China through a government-sponsored program to study Mechatronics at Nanjing University of Industry Technology. Her goal, she says, is simple but powerful: "I want to turn the ideas on paper into machines that solve real problems."

Before arriving in China, Luo worked with Chinese engineering companies in South Africa, experiences that showed her how technical innovation can directly improve lives. Those experiences strengthened her determination to pursue further study in China, a country known for rapid industrial development and applied engineering education.

During her time studying in Nanjing, Luo mastered programming control, CNC machining, and mechanical design, and took part in several hands-on projects. One project in particular left a deep impression: designing a watercress harvesting machine.

In Changzhou, Jiangsu province, she observed farmers harvesting watercress by hand in cold streams. "I wanted to create equipment that would make their work easier," she recalled. The design process was challenging, especially when learning new design software, but under the guidance of her Chinese mentor, Luo refined her ideas step by step until the machine became a working prototype.

Adapting to a new culture was part of the learning experience. Festivals and campus activities — from Mid-Autumn celebrations and Spring Festival gatherings to calligraphy workshops and student marathons — helped her feel at home.

Now that she’s graduated, Luo has a clear path ahead. She hopes to become an engineering educator, helping more young people access practical technical training. She plans to return to South Africa and share the skills she has gained in China to support local talent development.