Intl. students explore TCM at SZTU's cultural festival

An immersive blend of tradition and technology marked the opening of the Second Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Culture Festival at Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) on Friday, one of the highlights of the university’s 2025 International Week. The event created a platform for international exchange students to explore TCM and discuss its cultural inheritance.

Simon Kühnlein （R）and Lucas Gillert (3rd from R）from the Nuremberg Institute of Technology experience AI-powered robot massages at the TCM Culture Festival at SZTU on Friday. Photos courtesy of SZTU

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, strengthening global dialogue and exchange, according to Ming.

The festival featured six themed exhibition areas to showcase TCM culture, provide interactive experiences, and promote industrial matchmaking.

Among the most popular exhibits, AI massage robots garnered attention from international students. They all expressed that the experience provided by the robots was beyond their expectations.

Lucas Gillert from the Nuremberg Institute of Technology enjoys a massage from an AI-powered robot during Friday’s event.

Lucas Gillert, a student from the Nuremberg Institute of Technology, noted that he had originally wanted to try the machine to help relieve pressure on 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.

The festival was part of SZTU’s International Week, which ran from Sept. 22 to 26 and brought together nearly 60 university presidents from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Singapore, and Finland, along with professors, senior company executives, and more than 60 international students.

According to SZTU, this year’s International Week has seen the largest number of visiting students and faculty since its launch.

The week’s activities included cultural programs, academic lectures by SZTU and visiting professors, and the International Forum, which focused on education and talent cultivation.

International students pose for a photo on the SZTU campus.

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 expressed hope that students will develop a curiosity about other cultures through the International Week activities.

Participants gather for a group photo during Shenzhen Technology University’s 2025 International Week.

Gillert 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.