Australian students discover Nanshan's smart tech

Video and  photos by Lin Songtao

A total of 21 undergraduate students majoring in architecture and two teachers from Curtin University in Australia visited Nanshan District today to gain insight into the district's smart urban development. 

Curtin University students engage in an exchange activity with OCT High School students during a discussion at the high school. 

The delegation's first stop was the Nanshan Experimental Education Group's OCT High School, where the undergraduate students and some of the school's students took part in a smart campus construction exchange workshop. They also toured the campus and discussed how to improve campus facilities and design.

Members of a delegation from Australia’s Curtin University engage in an exchange with students from OCT High School in Nanshan District yesterday.

While visiting a relaxing space near the campus playground, Australian students asked about the area's purpose and students' exercise habits to offer suggestions for improving the space to better serve students.

A corridor's round space reminded Australian students of the Indigenous Australian yarning culture, where people gather in circles to share stories and ideas. Inspired by this tradition, they suggested turning the space into an area for students to chat and connect by adding chairs and benches arranged in a circle.

Students from Curtin University and OCT High School participate in a dynamic exchange activity at the high school.

Australian student Ayla Woodland discussed the importance of cultural exchanges. "I was really excited to meet local students here, and we had a lot of fun together. Sharing ideas and seeing how we can integrate them together to create a new and unique experience are fantastic," said Woodland.

Gao Yunhan, a grade-11 student at OCT High School, appreciated getting to know the Australian students and said the workshop produced valuable improvement suggestions.

Lee Syminton, a senior lecturer at Curtin University, stated, "This event is significant for us. It helps our students build connections with Chinese students and for our students to understand how other cities in the world work."

During the visit to the campus this morning, Syminton was impressed by the mental health consultation rooms — something not available at their school — as well as the cutting-edge science facilities.

Delegation members admire artwork crafted from recycled materials at the Nanshan Energy Ecological Park. 

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Nanshan Energy Ecological Park and Steel Structure Museum in Nanshan District. After learning about the city's advanced waste management through incineration facilities, Woodland remarked that it would be fantastic to implement similar systems in Australia.

Students explore exhibits on display at the Steel Structure Museum.

For many delegation members, this was their first visit to Shenzhen and even China. Ethan Leibowitz, a final-year student at Curtin University, shared that he was impressed by the city's skyscrapers and widespread use of electric vehicles.

Syminton said, "Shenzhen is amazing. I just can't believe how amazing it is to have one place where everything gets to be new and cutting edge, where you get to try things out, where there's such a spirit of innovation and trial and experiment."

"Shenzhen is awesome. I didn't know much about Shenzhen before coming here. The city is so clean. The people are so friendly, really accommodating, and welcoming. The architecture is amazing. It's so interesting to see how fast construction happens here," added Woodland.

The event was part of the "DiscoverNanshan" tour hosted by Nanshan District Foreign Affairs Bureau and organized by Southwind International Service. It aims to foster connections between Nanshan District and Perth in areas such as urban construction and cultural exchange, enhance cross-cultural communication, and promote exchanges and cooperation in technology, culture, and education.

More photos:

Members of a delegation from Australia’s Curtin University visit the Nanshan Energy Ecological Park yesterday.

Members of a delegation from Australia’s Curtin University visit the Nanshan Energy Ecological Park yesterday.

Members of a delegation from Australia’s Curtin University visit Steel Structure Museum.

Students from Curtin University, Australia communicate with students from OCT High School during an exchange activity.

Members of a delegation from Australia’s Curtin University visit the Nanshan Energy Ecological Park.