Visiting students from China are coming to the end of a 12 week course at Newcastle College’s Rail and Civil Engineering Academy.
14 rail and engineering students from Zhejiang Normal University in Jinhua were selected to take part in the programme, which has helped them to learn about the UK’s infrastructure and rail network.
The group arrived in Newcastle in June and spent two weeks brushing up their English skills before moving to the Rail and Civil Engineering Academy for the remainder of the programme, which has taught them about infrastructure, health and safety and practical maintenance skills.
Leading the programme was Safety Critical Training and Assessment Manager for the Rail and Civil Engineering Academy, Neil Stevenson, who said: “This is the second year we have welcomed students from Zhejiang Normal University.
“The programme we offer is designed to complement the course they are following at home, to ensure that they aren’t missing vital parts of their degree while they’re here.
“In addition, they learn about the differences between UK and Chinese infrastructure, our health and safety approaches and this year we’ve introduced more theory around accident analysis and how to improve the future of railway.”
Danny, a 20-year-old Traffic and Transportation degree student taking part in the course, said: “I applied for the opportunity to visit Newcastle College’s Rail and Civil Engineering Academy because I thought it would be interesting.
“I like the fact that it’s practical as we don’t do a lot of practical work on my course. It has helped me to learn a lot about the UK railway and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”
The group are due to complete their UK visit and return to China in late September.