By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Eighteen Harare Polytechnic students have gained first-hand experience in engineering operations after undergoing practical training at China Railway No. 9 in Goromonzi.
During the programme, participants handled construction instruments, learnt workplace safety procedures and explored project management.
Harare Polytechnic students have gained first-hand experience in engineering operations after undergoing practical training at China Railway No. 9 in Goromonzi, where they handled construction instruments, learnt workplace safety procedures and explored project management.
The September 28 programme, facilitated by the China Zimbabwe Exchange Centre (CZEC) under its Youth Bridge initiative, brought together the students and three lecturers for technical demonstrations, professional engagement and cultural exchange.
Zihui Guan, the China Railway No. 9 manager overseeing the open-day project, said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the demands of the engineering industry.
“We want students to see that engineering is more than drawings and formulas.
“When they handle the instruments and see how a project team works, the classroom lessons start to make sense,” Guan said.
Under the guidance of the company’s project manager, students handled engineering instruments and learnt how they are used in construction operations.
A tour of the company’s offices also introduced them to the planning, documentation and coordination involved in delivering construction projects.
Workplace safety was another key component of the programme.
Students watched an instructional video on construction safety precautions before completing a test, with prizes awarded to those who performed well and small gifts presented to other participants.
“On a construction site, safety is not optional. Every worker goes home safe, and that habit has to start before graduation,” Guan said.
He said Youth Bridge also sought to foster lasting relationships between young Zimbabweans and Chinese professionals through shared learning and cultural exchange.
“Youth Bridge is about giving young Zimbabweans and Chinese professionals a chance to meet, learn from each other and build lasting relationships,” he said.
The engagement follows the unveiling of a Youth Bridge Workshop at Harare Polytechnic earlier in September, as the initiative seeks to expand practical learning opportunities and open potential pathways to employment and professional development.
China Railway No. 9 has committed to hosting the same group for a follow-up visit to its construction sites, where the students will observe engineering operations and see how the equipment, safety procedures and project-management principles introduced during the initial engagement are applied in practice.
The partnership highlights the role of collaboration between technical institutions and industry in preparing graduates for workplace demands, giving students an opportunity to build confidence, understand professional standards and apply classroom knowledge to real engineering challenges.
China Railway No. 9 Group, a state-owned central enterprise and subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited, operates in engineering and construction, design, research and development, property development, mining and machining.
The company has an annual construction capacity exceeding 20 billion yuan.
Its engagement with Harare Polytechnic also includes the launch of a China-Zimbabwe Friendship Forest, extending the partnership beyond construction and infrastructure delivery.
The planned site visit is expected to deepen the students’ exposure to construction technologies and give them a clearer understanding of the responsibilities and professional standards required in the engineering industry.
