On the morning of October 5, 2023, the opening ceremony of the Chinese language training crash course (first phase) for the GEM-Central South University (CSU)-Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment of Indonesia (CMMAI) Joint Metallurgical Engineering Master Training Program (hereinafter referred to as the "Chinese language training crash course") was held at the International Training Center in GEM Jingmen Park. The opening ceremony was attended by Professor Xu Kaihua, Board Chairman of GEM, Professor Liu Nuoya, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Jingchu University of Technology, and Professor Wu Xiaofeng, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages. The teaching team from the School of Foreign Languages at Jingchu University of Technology included Professor Wu Guangqin, Professor Kuai Chong, Dr. Zhou Jing, and Dr. Huang Yinpin. In addition, the assistant general managers of GEM, Ma Lin and Dr. Xu Pengyun, attended the ceremony along with the first group of 40 Indonesian students.

Before the opening ceremony, Lu Xijin, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the GEM, led the students on a tour of the park, enjoying the sweet-scented osmanthus and visiting the fruit forest, experiencing the intoxicating autumn scenery of the park. Through the enjoyable plant knowledge course, the first lesson of the Chinese language training crash course was started in advance.

"At the arrival of Autumn, the season of harvest comes. The fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus outside signifies the coming of beautiful days!" recited Chairman Xu Kaihua during the opening ceremony, showcasing the beauty of the Chinese language to the 40 Indonesian students. In addition, Chairman Xu Kaihua further emphasized the necessity of learning Chinese from three perspectives.

Learning Chinese is for honor. In September of this year, during Professor Guo Xueyi's visit to the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment of Indonesia, Rizky Wanaldi (Indonesian), a representative of the first GEM-CSU-CMMAI Joint Metallurgical Engineering Master Training Program, delivered a bilingual speech in Chinese and Indonesian language. The Indonesian officials in attendance were shocked by his performance and praised the joint master's program for its excellent Chinese language education.

Learning Chinese is for a better understanding of metallurgy and new energy knowledge. The students are all studying metallurgy at Central South University and working at QMB. Without a good command of the Chinese language, it is difficult to communicate effectively and grasp true metallurgical techniques. Learning Chinese is crucial for acquiring more advanced metallurgical knowledge from the industry's top experts.

Learning Chinese is for better promoting Sino-Indonesian cooperation and friendship. In early September, Li Qiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China, visited Indonesia and met with President Joko Widodo, redefining China and Indonesia as like-minded friends with a long-standing friendship. In the continuous deepening of economic and trade cooperation between China and Indonesia, there is a need for more Indonesians who can speak Chinese to serve as a bridge linking the two countries together and promoting cooperation.

"Just like the technology of the laterite nickel ore hydrometallurgical process, we need to 'soak' ourselves in learning Chinese under high temperature and high pressure. Only then can we learn Chinese well." emphasized Chairman Xu Kaihua. The Chinese language training crash course is not only a "crash course", but also an "immersion course". The 40 Indonesian students who attended the first phase of the Chinese language training crash course should make good use of the three-month practical courses and learn Chinese 24/7, in order to achieve the training objectives, establish a training model for Indonesians to quickly master Chinese language, and set a good example for future phases of the Chinese language training crash course, better promoting the cultural and technological exchanges between China and Indonesia.

"Where there is a will, there is a way!" "Though the road is long and difficult, as long as we keep moving forward, we will reach our destination!" "Every day, be a happy person, have a broad mind like the sea, and feel the warmth of spring!" Chairman Xu Kaihua concluded with words of encouragement for the 40 Indonesian students, hoping that they will be able to communicate fluently in Chinese after three months.

Dean Liu Nuoya of the School of Foreign Languages at Jingchu University of Technology stated at the opening ceremony that the school has formulated a complete and systematic teaching plan for the Chinese language training crash course, and prepared authoritative and practical teaching materials and teaching aids. The school has also dispatched its strongest team of teachers, established a rigorous and detailed teaching plan, designed a variety of in-class and out-of-class practical activities, and built an all-round immersive teaching environment to enable students to quickly improve their Chinese language skills. As the project leader of the training program, Professor Wu Xiaofeng introduced the team members of the school participating in the Chinese language training crash course. Professor Wu Guangqin also introduced the course arrangement and training objectives of the Chinese language training crash course. They stated that the teachers of the team will provide the best language teaching services to students, tell good stories about China, spread the voice of China, show the true, stereoscopic, and comprehensive China to Indonesian students, and contribute to cultural exchanges and friendly interactions between China and Indonesia.

Tegar, a student from the first GEM-CSU-CMMAI Joint Metallurgical Engineering Master Training Program, spoke as the representative of the Chinese language training crash course students. Tegar expressed gratitude to Chairman Xu Kaihua and GEM for providing this rare opportunity, which allowed him to come to China again to learn Chinese and experience Chinese culture. During the three-month learning process, he will persist in speaking, listening, and writing in Chinese to improve his language skills as soon as possible. Tegar hopes to contribute more to the realization of the concept of "Promote cultural integration and grow together with Indonesia" in QMB, and the promotion of scientific, technological, and cultural exchanges between China and Indonesia.

To create a good learning and living environment for the Indonesian students participating in the Chinese language training crash course, GEM has not only hired senior professors and Ph.D. holders as teachers but also equipped Chinese teaching assistants for the students. The teaching is conducted in a form of "senior teachers + teaching assistants". In addition, GEM has set up dedicated classrooms, dormitories, and halal restaurants, encouraging students to fully utilize various sports facilities provided by the company in their spare time, and actively communicate with GEM's Chinese employees in the gym, sports fields, badminton courts, and other leisure places. Through the immersive language learning environment and intensive Chinese language learning program, the students can experience the charm of Chinese culture and build a bridge for the integrated development of science, technology and culture between China and Indonesia.

A group photo with Professor Xu Kaihua, Board Chairman of GEM, all the teachers and students of the Chinese language training crash course

Lu Xijin, Chairman of the supervisory board of GEM, gave a lecture on general knowledge of plants to the students

The opening ceremony of Chinese language training crash course (first phase) for the GEM-CSU-CMMAI Joint Metallurgical Engineering Master Training Program

Professor Xu Kaihua, Board Chairman of GEM, delivered a speech

Professor Liu Nuoya, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Jingchu University of Technology, delivered a speech

Student representative Tegar gave a speech