In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 246 As long as I'm at school, international students shouldn't expect to enjoy preferential treatment.

"Is it appropriate for you to deceive the military leaders like this?"

After seeing You Lihua off, Zhang Mingqiu found Xie Wei, his face full of worry.

On his way to the station, he learned about the gap between the tank performance indicators Xie Wei mentioned and the current domestic technology, and he went to find Xie Wei when he got back.

"What do you mean by 'deceiving'? We're working towards that goal!"

Xie Wei rolled his eyes. "Principal, if you have nothing else to do, you should go ahead and get busy. The Pakistani negotiating team and the international students will be arriving soon."

"That's the main reason. You said before that international students at the school receive the same treatment as us students..."

Zhang Mingqiu's expression turned serious.

Seeing the displeasure that immediately appeared on Xie Wei's face, he explained, "This is the first large-scale acceptance of international students in China, especially those in non-military command majors. The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Organization Department, and other departments attach great importance to it. Principal Li has even attended several meetings on this matter..."

Xie Wei previously stated that Pakistani students who pay $3000 annually for tuition and living expenses are treated the same as domestic students, which the school initially didn't think was a problem.

As the arrival time for international students draws closer, the authorities are paying increasing attention.

"So what? Are you suggesting we give foreign students preferential treatment?"

Xie Wei raised an eyebrow, his tone full of dissatisfaction, "This issue has already been specifically emphasized before. If our school gives international students preferential treatment, what about our own students? Does it mean that the talents we cultivate to build our own country are not as highly regarded as foreign students who come here to learn our technology? We can't set a precedent like this!"

Xie Wei felt there was absolutely no room for negotiation on this matter.

"But the higher-ups..."

Zhang Mingqiu sighed inwardly; he could understand Xie Wei's thoughts.

The problem is that the higher-ups don't see it that way.

"If the higher-ups want to give them better treatment, then let them manage them! Principal Zhang, this is just a business deal for the school; we can't afford to lose money!"

Xie Wei abruptly and rudely interrupted Zhang Mingqiu.

It is essential to ensure from the outset that international students do not receive preferential treatment, otherwise other schools will become even more aggressive.

Other schools can't interfere, but since it can now influence the school's decision-making, Xie Wei can't just sit idly by.

He was the one who negotiated the international student program.

“Principal Zhang, we are different from military academies such as the Infantry Academy, Command Academy, and National University of Defense Technology, which train military command personnel. Our school trains military industry personnel and defense engineers, who are the backbone of the entire country’s industry!”

Xie Wei reminded Zhang Mingqiu.

Training defense engineers for foreign countries will enable them to return and build their own defense industries, develop various equipment, and become competitors to domestic weapons exports in the international arms market.

Why should we give better treatment to our competitors who come from abroad to learn?
"The school is already being very kind by not hiding anything from them! That's my attitude anyway..."

Seeing that Zhang Mingqiu's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, Xie Wei simply said this and, without waiting for Principal Zhang's reaction, got up and left the office.

Didn't Li Rui say he wanted to be trained to be a school principal?
Now the school must develop and build according to its own ideas. If certain problems exist from the beginning, not only will students not stay at the school, but if they do stay, it will be difficult to manage with a large number of international students.

"This kid's attitude is so firm, there's no way to persuade him. We'll just report this to Principal Li and let him handle it..."

Seeing Xie Wei's firm attitude, leaving no room for negotiation, Zhang Mingqiu shook his head and sighed.

He is currently only acting principal.

Principal Li has not yet left his post.

This is something Principal Li should be considering.

"Solve what? Xie Wei is right. If the higher-ups want to give them better treatment, then let them train them! Our school doesn't do that kind of foreign worship!"

After learning of Xie Wei's strong reaction and resolute attitude, Li Rui complained.

Then he went about his own business.

Soon, Ahmed, along with Murita Zaridak, Imohan Farooq, and others, returned to the school. Unlike a few months ago, this time their team included officials from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education.

Pakistani students are unhappy because they are not only not given any subsidies by Harbin Institute of Technology, but are also assigned dormitories with eight people per room and are forced to eat in the same canteen as other students at Harbin Institute of Technology. They are not given any special arrangements.
Each international student receives $3000 in funding per year!

"What happened? Didn't we specifically discuss this issue with Principal Li before?"

A foreign ministry official accompanying the Pakistani delegation pulled Li Rui and Liu Debao aside and asked in a low voice.

I specifically told the school about it before!

Now, Pakistani Foreign Ministry officials are unhappy.

If this continues, it could easily escalate into a diplomatic dispute.

"Leader, Principal Li said that the school's Party Committee and leadership team have held several special meetings to discuss this matter. After fully investigating the opinions of the school's teachers and students, they felt that there should be no exceptions in order to fully demonstrate the school's attitude of valuing international students..."

Liu Debao explained with a smile.

"..."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials were speechless.

Holding meetings and conducting surveys among teachers and students—that's all nonsense!
Should there be a democratic vote on the treatment of international students at universities?
"They paid them money! $3000 per child per year!"

An official from the Ministry of Education looked at the school leaders with a grim expression.

Harbin Institute of Technology is a key university in China, but it is under the jurisdiction of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry. The Ministry of Education cannot interfere with the school as much as it does with universities directly under its jurisdiction.

The leaders of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery probably knew about this, and didn't send anyone at all!

“Boss, do you think $3000 is a lot? This $3000 isn't just for their food and lodging; it also includes textbooks and teaching aids. For example, a scientific calculator costs several hundred dollars… And then there's the various equipment in the school labs. Even our own students have time limits for using it, and international students need to use the school's equipment to familiarize themselves with it… Aren't these costs? In Europe and America, international students who don't receive full scholarships pay tens of thousands of dollars in tuition fees every year…”

Zhang Mingqiu was unhappy.

He directly retorted to the officials from the Ministry of Education.

The reasons were all found by Xie Wei, and they made perfect sense; there was no way to refute them.

"..."

The officials from the Ministry of Education were unable to refute this at the time.

How to refute?

If they object, and the school asks them for money, where will they get the money approved?

Although Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is not a university directly under the Ministry of Education, its leaders are familiar with the bigwigs in the Ministry of Education—even though they didn't have much of a relationship before, they were still able to use the Ministry of Education as the superior authority of the entire education system to ask for money!

Now, because of international students, they are demanding that Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) pay higher costs in exchange for better treatment for them. Given the shameless, money-grubbing nature of HIT's leadership, they refuse to pay.
Li Rui would probably dare to pack his bedding and sleep on the floor in the minister's office, refusing to leave until he's paid!

Furthermore, the various experimental equipment used in science and engineering majors are expensive to begin with, and the experimental materials may be even more expensive.

Moreover, it's not something that can be succeeded on the first try...

This is a bottomless pit!

How many universities are there in China?

The country has a huge talent gap and needs to train a large number of talents. However, given the country's poverty, the funding for education is limited, so how much can be invested in overseas students?

That won't do. So, the officials from the Ministry of Education fell silent.

"Principal Zhang, our students have entrusted your school with their education, and for this we pay your school a high fee every year..."

Ibrahim, the person in charge of the Pakistani Ministry of Education who accompanied the students to China, looked displeased.

$3000!
That's almost ten times the average annual income of Chinese people these days!

The most outstanding talents selected from across the country are also the core backbone of Pakistan's future defense technology field. When they come to China, they receive no subsidies or preferential treatment whatsoever, and even their dormitories are shared by eight people!
"Your Excellency Minister, these are the conditions our school offers. If you feel the conditions are too poor, we can terminate the cooperation, and you can find a school that can offer you better treatment and conditions to help you train talents!"

Although it is no small matter when it involves foreigners, Principal Zhang felt that he was only the acting principal at the moment!

Principal Li Rui is still in charge, so if there are any problems, Principal Li will be responsible.

Starting in 76, the country gradually restored the leadership responsibility system, and now, leaders bear all the responsibilities.

Regardless of whether it would cause a diplomatic dispute, Principal Zhang felt no pressure at all at this moment.

"you……"

Upon hearing this, Ibrahim flew into a rage. Seeing the dismissive expressions of Zhang Mingqiu, Liu Debao, and other school leaders, he knew that their attitude was unlikely to change. He then prepared to find the leaders from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who had accompanied them to the school.

The other party didn't give them any face. Let's see if these guys can still be so domineering under pressure from their superiors!

Before he could even speak, Liu Debao chimed in, continuing Zhang Mingqiu's words, "Your Excellency, if you have any objections, you can first raise them with General Ahmed. Harbin Institute of Technology accepting students from your country is a supplementary agreement and contract to the cooperative project between our two sides. If General Ahmed proposes it, we can renegotiate the details of the cooperation. In any case, the contract hasn't been finalized yet..."

"..."

Everyone fell silent.

Especially Ibrahim and others, their expressions were uncertain, but they could only grit their teeth and look at Liu Debao, ultimately saying nothing.

What can I say?
They've already said that if you want to continue demanding better treatment for international students, you should first go to General Ahmed, who's in charge!

This differs from traditional international educational cooperation. Pakistan sends students to China because of a tank development project that the two countries are cooperating on.

Just as Liu Debao said, that's an additional item!

Pakistan is now determined to expand its cooperation with Harbin Institute of Technology, and the current tank development project is just the beginning.

Sending students abroad was intended to enable Harbin Institute of Technology to train relevant designers and technicians for Pakistan, thereby establishing Pakistan's own tank industry.

As the head of the Ministry of Education delegation, Ibrahim was well aware of how much the military valued this cooperation. He could only cooperate with the project, not influence it.

"General, I would like to ask, is your purpose in sending students abroad to learn knowledge and skills, or to enjoy higher treatment?"

Looking at Ibrahim in front of him, Xie Wei didn't care at all, even though the other party was a general.

Compared to the military leaders he had met in China, General Xie Wei didn't exude even the slightest military aura.

At least, the other party didn't put any pressure on him.

It wasn't as much pressure from Wang Nengjun and Wei Changcheng, who were with You Lihua, as he did.

I thought this guy was looking for me to discuss collaborative research, but he started by saying that international students were treated terribly at the university.

"Thank you, there's no contradiction, is there? The international students we selected this time are almost all the best talents in their respective fields in China. We only require two people to share a dormitory room, with dedicated staff to help them better adapt to school life and studies, and also to provide other support..."

Muritazaridak frowned.

In their view, the issue of treatment for international students is the area where the two sides are least likely to disagree.

If even this cannot be agreed upon, then how can we discuss the details of subsequent cooperation?
"Thank you. The school provides scholarships, mentors to help international students adapt to the unfamiliar school environment, and certain preferential treatment in daily life. This is international practice..."

Immohan was also completely puzzled.

They were already familiar with Xie Wei, and although they knew he didn't hold any official position, they had to approach him first because of his significant influence on school decisions.

Seeing Xie Wei staring at him, Immohan added, "Also, we students all have religious beliefs..."

"We respect everyone's beliefs! The school will make some exceptions in this regard, but nothing else!"

Xie Wei said in an uncompromising tone, "In other matters, no one can be treated specially!"

Xie Wei has always been very clear on the issue of treatment for international students.

As long as he is at the school, no international student can expect to enjoy any preferential treatment at Harbin Institute of Technology!

When it comes to choices, there is absolutely no room for negotiation.

"Gentlemen, while your idea is correct—that you can offer better treatment to the future talents of the tank industry, allowing them to focus on their studies and make greater contributions to your national defense—we have an old saying: 'When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on someone, it first tests their will, strains their muscles and bones, starves their body, and empties their resources…'"

At first, Wang Zheng and others thought Xie Wei's words made a lot of sense, but when they heard Xie Wei bring up the content of "Born in Sorrow, Die in Comfort," their expressions became a little strange: Is it really necessary to make such a high-sounding argument in order to save the expenses of international students?
Not so!

"..."

Ahmed and the others stared blankly at Xie Wei.

They have some understanding of Chinese culture, but Xie Wei is spouting classical Chinese here!

How can international students have the energy to study under conditions of physical hardship and hunger?

Pakistan's domestic education level is already poor, and its basic level cannot compare with the millions of students selected by China's top universities!
"As for excellence, every student in our school is selected from millions of people... They can study hard under difficult conditions, so why can't your students? Also, compared to you, our country has better scientific research and basic conditions. If we don't cultivate students' hard-working and persevering character, then when they leave school and return to your country, will they not do research work due to insufficient conditions?"

Xie Wei's words were resounding and caused the expressions of the Pakistani men to change drastically.

Hard work and perseverance are traditional virtues of the entire Chinese nation.

In the early days of the People's Republic of China, when the country was extremely poor, China transformed from an agricultural country into an industrial country in just over a decade. Isn't this precisely because of the qualities of the Chinese people?
“Once they come to the school, the school must train them to meet the graduation requirements before they can graduate! Otherwise, it will damage our school's reputation and waste your country's talent training funds!”

"Well said!!!"

Upon hearing this, Ahmed immediately took the lead in clapping.

He believes that the reason why Pakistan's industry has not developed is because their technical personnel are not as willing to endure hardship and work as hard as their Chinese technical personnel!

"Thank you. We are sending our students abroad not only because we hope your university can teach our technical staff knowledge and scientific research, but also because we hope your university can cultivate in them the same spirit of hard work and perseverance as your country's defense science and technology workers!"

At this moment, General Ahmed's face turned serious.

Does this work?
Wang Zheng and the others, who already had strange expressions, now looked even stranger.

But they couldn't refute Xie Wei's statement, could they?
"We send students abroad to learn technology and to learn from China's defense science and technology workers how they strive to contribute to the country under difficult conditions, not to come to China to enjoy a good life! If anyone thinks the conditions at Harbin Institute of Technology are too harsh, they can speak up and return to China!"

After concluding his communication with Shewe, Ahmed convened a meeting with representatives from the Pakistani Ministry of Education and the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"This is just the beginning of cooperation, and also the beginning of our nation building its own advanced defense industry! Anyone who interferes with our cooperation is an enemy of the entire Ministry of National Defense!!!"

With General Ahmed's strong intervention, the leaders who originally wanted to fight for better treatment for international students had no choice but to back down.

"Alright, Pakistan isn't making any more demands, so what's there to worry about? The most important thing now is to finalize the cooperation details as quickly as possible and get them to release the funds!!!"

Xie Wei was unable to empathize with the concerns of leaders like Zhang Mingqiu, whose faces were filled with worry.

As he said, the most urgent task at the moment is to transfer the $8000 million that Pakistan is prepared to provide to the school's account.

(End of this chapter)