Mohamed Salaheldin Mohamed Ahmed

(Chinese name: Zhou Yu)

Sudanese Ph.D. student at the Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

Mohamed Salaheldin Mohamed Ahmed. [Photo/Office of International Student Affairs, SISU]

Eight years of study at SISU

In 2010, Mohamed Salaheldin began learning Chinese at the University of Khartoum in Sudan. His Chinese teacher gave him the name Zhou Yu, hoping he would emulate his namesake, the historical Chinese hero Zhou Yu.

After earning his bachelor's degree, Mohamed Salaheldin successfully applied for the "The Joint Training Program for Sino-Arabic Translators and Interpreters" hosted by SISU. He spent a year at the Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation, where he studied Chinese-Arabic interpretation and advanced Chinese.

Upon completing the program, he successfully applied for and was admitted to the graduate program in Arabic interpretation. After graduating, he passed the entrance examination for the Ph.D. program in International Politics and began his doctoral studies. Over the eight years that Mohamed has studied at SISU, he has mastered three disciplines, Chinese, interpretation, and international politics, thus showcasing his exceptional talent and relentless effort.

Transformation from introvert to extrovert

Like most international students, Mohamed Salaheldin faced communication difficulties when he first arrived in China. He shared his awkward experiences, such as not daring to order noodles because he didn't know how to use chopsticks, and feeling too shy to ask for a spoon when dining with others due to his introverted nature.

His wife Wang Qian said, "He used to be very introverted and didn't talk much. After coming to study in China, he seems to have become a different person. He can handle many things, knows many people, and many people know him. It feels like China is his hometown."

Promoter of Sino-foreign friendship

In October 2021, Mohamed Salaheldin participated in "The 1st Forum on International Students from Africa". In his speech, he emphasized that as an African student in China, it is crucial to promote Sino-African friendship and to make the most of the rare opportunity to study in China.

Mohamed Salaheldin (R) at the forum. [Photo/Office of International Student Affairs, SISU]

In August 2023, he shared his expectations for the Belt and Road Initiative at the "Seminar on Gen Zer’s Role in Public Diplomacy". He stated that young people should first understand their own history and culture in order to better introduce their country's resources and advantages to more Chinese friends.

Mohamed Salaheldin participates in the seminar. [Photo/Office of International Student Affairs, SISU]

Regarding his future direction, Mohamed Salaheldin mentioned that he hopes to use what he has learned at SISU to make a difference. He sees Sino-Sudanese and Sino-Arab friendship as his responsibility. Whether it is telling China's story or Sudan's story, he will always be a bridge of communication.

Source: Office of International Student Affairs, SISU