The International Education School (IES) at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL) is proud to announce the successful completion of its 2024-2025 Individual Scholarship review. These awards honor students and teams who exemplify the spirit of all-round development, serving as inspiring role models within our community. Following a rigorous process of application, review, and public three teams and five individuals have been selected for the “Academic ZUEL” Scholarship for Research Innovation, the “Literary ZUEL” Scholarship for Chinese Learning, and the “Honorable ZUEL” Scholarship for Practical Activities.
Among the honorees is NNABUIKE SUNDAY CHISOM (齐云嵩) from Nigeria, a 2024 International Chinese Language Education major in the School of Journalism and Cultural Communication, who received the “Honorable ZUEL” Scholarship for Practical Activities. For Chisom, knowledge finds its true meaning in action. “I am truly honored to receive this scholarship,” he shares. “It recognizes my journey in applying theory beyond the classroom, including winning the global championship at the ‘Chinese Bridge’ competition and a group award in ‘Recite China.’ This accolade feels like a beacon, illuminating my path forward.”
He describes his preparation for these competitions as a profound form of self-cultivation, where meticulous practice and team collaboration became sources of great joy. He credits his supervisor, Teacher Li Muzi, for guidance that transcended language skills. “She taught me how to think, feel, and express myself in Chinese, and how to use it to tell my own stories,” Chisom reflects. “These experiences revealed that the true charm of a language lies in the culture and narratives it carries.”
Through these practical endeavors, Chisom gained invaluable insights. “The ‘Chinese Bridge’ competition taught me the power of persistence—that daily, incremental progress leads to breakthrough. ‘Recite China’ underscored the importance of harmony in collaboration,” he notes. He recalls his participation in the Chinese recitation team as a particularly impactful experience, which deepened his understanding of the cultural emotion behind the language and boosted his confidence in sharing China’s stories.
Balancing such intensive activities with academic demands requires careful strategy. Chisom emphasizes effective prioritization and planning. “I categorize tasks to focus on what is most urgent and important, schedule activities during less demanding periods, and break large projects into steps,” he explains, adding that learning to manage one’s schedule is crucial for maintaining balance.
These experiences have also clarified his career vision, solidifying his passion for cross-cultural communication. “They helped me discover my interest in building bridges between cultures,” Chisom says. With this clearer direction, he plans to pursue a doctoral degree at ZUEL, viewing the scholarship as a motivating new beginning on this path. He expresses deep gratitude to the university and his teachers for their nurturing support.
The International Education School extends its warmest congratulations to Chisom and all the scholarship recipients. Their dedication to integrating learning with practice, serving communities, and embracing challenges beautifully embodies the principle of unifying knowledge and action, bringing honor to themselves and inspiring their peers.
