Qingdao: Thirty Iraqi students embody the saying “Seek knowledge even as far as China,” as they continue their studies thousands of miles from their homeland, driven by a shared ambition to build their future in the oil sector.
According to Iraqi News Agency, on April 15, the students left Baghdad International Airport and crossed the continent to reach the coastal city of Qingdao on the Yellow Sea in China, where they began a new chapter in their educational journey. The students are the first group of Iraqis enrolled in the ‘Pioneers of Excellence’ program, sponsored by Petro China Iraq – West Qurna-1. They have so far spent more than four months studying at China University of Petroleum (East China).
For these young Iraqis, the journey to China is both a pursuit of knowledge and an investment in the future of Iraq’s oil sector. This marks the first time the Iraqi government has used the Training, Technology Transfer and Scholarship Fund (TTSF) to support Iraqi students studying in China. Since PetroChina Iraq – West Qurna-1 became the main contractor for the West Qurna-1 oil field in 2024; the company has placed a strong emphasis on developing local Iraqi talent and has actively supported initiatives aimed at achieving this goal.
The launch of the ‘Pioneers of Excellence’ program represents more than just an educational opportunity; it marks a deeper stage in Iraq-China energy cooperation, expanding beyond traditional areas such as equipment supply and technical support to the joint development of talent and stronger people-to-people ties. The program also reflects the Iraqi government’s appreciation and confidence in PetroChina engineering expertise and technical standards.
For each student, choosing China as a place to study was a decision shaped by careful consideration. Hussein Haider, from Baghdad, had previously noticed that many of the key facilities and core technologies used at oil field sites near his city came from China, prompting him to consider studying there at an early stage. As for Aws Jalal Ali, he had already been accepted by a university in the United Kingdom; however, after learning that he had been accepted to China University of Petroleum (East China), he decided to abandon his plans to study in Britain.
On April 19, the opening ceremony of the ‘Pioneers of Excellence’ program was held at China University of Petroleum (East China). Chen Peizhong, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Basra, addressed the students via video, encouraging them to work hard in their fields of study, learn more about China, build friendships with Chinese students, and serve as ambassadors of the longstanding friendship between China and Iraq.
Mohannad Najah Jawad Al-Sharoufi, Scientific and Educational Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in China, also addressed the students via video, saying: “You are pioneers, and you also represent the future of Iraq’s energy sector. I hope you will acquire the theoretical knowledge and technical expertise that Iraq urgently needs to rebuild and modernize its oil sector.”
During the ceremony, class representative Mohammed Al-Tawous made a pledge on behalf of all the students, saying: “We will never disappoint you.” To help the students transition to university studies, China University of Petroleum (East China) designed a special ‘0.5 + 4’ educational program, consisting of six months of preparatory study followed by four years of undergraduate study leading to a bachelor’s degree. The students will mainly specialize in three key fields: petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, and geology.
Currently, the students are studying Chinese, mathematics, physics, and chemistry, in addition to receiving regular academic support and specialized tutoring. Their class supervisor, Su Hui, has closely followed the students’ dedication and perseverance, praising their self-discipline and determination and noting that they rarely give up when faced with difficulties. She emphasized that their academic performance is driven not only by talent, but also by discipline and perseverance.
Since arriving in China, Chinese has been one of the biggest challenges the students have faced, but it has also become one of the subjects they have most enjoyed learning. Most of them could not speak Chinese before arriving, but a simple word like ‘Ni Hao’ – ‘Hello’ – quickly helped break down barriers between them and local residents.
With support from his professors and teaching assistants, Hussein Ali has made a habit of learning five new Chinese words every day, paying particular attention to distinguishing between tones and Chinese characters or words that sound similar. Each time local residents express surprise or admiration at his progress in the language, he feels even more motivated to continue learning.
Ali Al-Karrar also faced challenges in learning Chinese, but he worked hard with his professors. With the help of his Iraqi friends, he was able to find restaurants serving halal food in Qingdao, and the familiar flavors gave him a sense of comfort and connection to home. Meanwhile, China’s advanced electronic payment systems, including Alipay and WeChat, have made the students’ daily lives more convenient. Ali Al-Karrar said: “Everything can be done using a mobile phone.”
Being away from home inevitably brings feelings of homesickness. To help the students adapt to life in China, the university organized visits to several well-known landmarks, provided opportunities to try halal food, and encouraged them to take part in international cultural festivals and film screenings on campus, giving them a broader window onto the world. Hassan Ahmed was among the students who were particularly impressed by their experience in China. He said: “We saw in Chinese cultural heritage a profound history and artistic achievements that rival the rich civilization of our own country.”
The students’ days are filled with lectures, studying, and moving between classrooms and university accommodation. Although the intensive academic program can be demanding, remembering the valuable opportunity their country has provided them and the hopes their parents place in them gives them renewed motivation to persevere. “The oil sector is the backbone of Iraq’s economy. We are proud to represent Iraqi youth while studying in China, and we will work hard to excel in our studies. In the future, we will devote our efforts to contributing to the development of our country’s oil sector.”
This is the shared ambition of the 30 Iraqi students, who regard their time in China as an opportunity to acquire knowledge and expertise, represent their country, and strengthen the longstanding ties between Iraq and China. From the banks of the Tigris to the shores of the Yellow Sea, these young Iraqis are taking their first steps toward a future in the oil sector. Through study, perseverance, and a shared sense of purpose, they are laying the foundations for their ambitions and carrying with them the hopes of a country seeking to develop the next generation of its energy professionals.
The opening ceremony of the ‘Pioneers of Excellence’ program for Iraqi students was held at China University of Petroleum (East China), marking the beginning of their academic journey. During the preparatory phase, the students attended classes with keen interest and worked to strengthen their academic foundations in preparation for four years of undergraduate study.