By Wang Haoran and Mao Weihua in Urumqi |
China Daily |
Two boys display their Chinese calligraphy skills at an event in Almaty on April 19, celebrating the International Chinese Language Day on April 20. LI RENZI/XINHUA
Aidyn Yerbossyn points to his expanding waistline as proof of his affection for Urumqi. "I must have put on 20 kilograms since being here," he says, laughing. "It shows just how much I like this place."
Yerbossyn, 22, has devoured local food such as Xinjiang's celebrated dapanji (big-plate chicken) and spicy hotpot with the same gusto that he has applied to his studies. The student, from ALT University in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is now advancing his skills at Urumqi Vocational University within the framework of the Luban Workshop, China's international vocational education project. The third Luban Workshop in Kazakhstan was officially unveiled at his alma mater on Nov 1. This new facility was co-constructed by the two universities on the foundation of their existing Silk Road Workshop.
