Strengthening our Hebei connections through student and cultural exchange
In Brief:
- Eleven students from Hebei University of Engineering (HUE) are experiencing cultural and student life at Mt Albert Campus as part of an annual academic exchange programme.
- The exchange builds on the growing partnership we have with the university, which includes a joint Bachelor’s degree in Data Science and Big Data Technology launched in 2025, supporting international applied learning opportunities and pathways for students.
Eleven students from Hebei University of Engineering are experiencing student life and Māoritanga on a week-long academic and cultural exchange programme at Mt Albert Campus.
The exchange builds on the existing relationship and partnership with HUE, which has created opportunities for students based there to experience life on campus while participating in academic exchange programmes.
They were given a pōwhiri welcome at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae on Friday which was followed by a Māori cultural experience with the Māia team led by Kaitiaki Taiao Senior Lecturer Whaea Hinewai Reihana-White.
The visiting students were introduced to kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the environment, waiata (song), and karakia (prayer).
The learners also had the opportunity to try raranga (weaving) and making he papawai (filters made from flax) which they then placed into our puna (water spring).
“The whole experience was incredibly beautiful and unforgettable and really echoed the values we have here at MIT and Unitec and gave the students a wonderful opportunity to connect with Māori culture and our environment,” says International Partnership Coordinator Melody Hao.
This week, the students were given a campus tour and observed classes with some of our schools where they experienced how we deliver applied education.
Partnerships Manager Jialu Ding says this visit is a regular student exchange programme with our partner HUE.
“The students come from different programmes within the Hebei University of Engineering. We run this exchange programme annually as part of our broader collaboration with HUE,” Jialu explains.
Our institutes’ currently offer a joint bachelor’s degree programme in Data Science and Big Data Technology which was launched in September 2025, with an inaugural cohort of 120 students.
Kaimahi from School of Computing, Electrical and Applied Technology travelled to China in May and June to deliver the first teaching block at HUE.
Undergraduate student Songqian Wang says she is grateful to have had the opportunity to experience Māori culture and life as a student in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The exchange finishes this Friday, when the students share their presentations and experiences. They will then receive their completion certificates from Director International Jeff Howe with representatives of marae and international teams, plus participating schools and services attending.
