My year at East China Normal University (ECNU) transformed me from a committed Ugandan educator into a global-minded leader, thanks to academic rigor, cultural immersion, and the lifelong friendships I built along the way. In 2018, I joined ECNU as a UNESCO Great Wall Fellow, stepping into a community of passionate scholars from around the world. I came with curiosity, but I left with clarity - a sense of direction shaped by an unforgettable academic and cultural experience.

  A defining moment was our fieldwork under the “Intensive Practicum and Field Study” course, culminating in the International Literacy Seminar in Jining, Shandong Province. On September 27th, I presented on “Literacy and Skills Development Against the Background of Education 2030,” alongside Dinesha Sandamali (Sri Lanka), Samerson Thomas Nadezna Niasha (Grenada), and Lewis Scholastica Coffee (Liberia). Our session, chaired by Associate Professor Peng Liping, allowed us to reflect on global challenges and exchange transformative ideas. The weight of the moment wasn’t just academic - it was symbolic of our shared commitment to inclusive and quality education.

 That evening, during the Confucius Culture Festival and UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize Ceremony, I experienced a cultural immersion like no other. We were not mere spectators; we were contributors to a living narrative of global literacy efforts. In those interactions, in the way local residents invited us to take photos, I felt embraced - not just as a visitor, but as a participant in China’s global education mission.

  Back in Shanghai, I was honored to chair the mock defense of research reports at ECNU’s Minhang Campus, under the guidance of Prof. Ko-Chih Tung. This peer-led exercise - with over 30 international students serving in academic roles - revealed how global leadership can be built in the classroom. Later, our final report defenses at Zhongbei Campus brought our academic journey full circle.

  On June 6, 2019, a date etched in my memory, not only marked my birthday, but also our Great Wall trip. The climb, led by Serene and Ms. Wang Ru, affectionately known as Alisa Laoshi (Teacher Alisa), felt almost spiritual, with each step upward seeming to reflect our collective academic journey. That night, upon returning to the Temple of Heaven Hotel and discovering a surprise birthday cake, I was reminded of how ECNU nurtures both minds and hearts. We danced, laughed, and celebrated the bonds of friendship that had grown stronger through our shared experiences, surrounded by peers from diverse backgrounds whose presence made the day truly unforgettable.

  Since returning to Uganda, I’ve applied these experiences in tangible ways. I resumed my work at National Teachers’ College Kaliro (now Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education  – Kaliro Campus), then joined Enabel (Belgian development agency) as a Pedagogy Officer under the WeTrain4Health Project. Inspired by ECNU, I’m now leading blended learning innovations using Moodle at Fort Portal College of Health Sciences.

  Beyond projects, I’ve published three academic papers - on digital literacy, ICT integration, and mentorship - echoing the research rigor instilled at ECNU. And I remain in active contact with my cohort, nurturing a global network of educators committed to equity and excellence.

  As ECNU celebrates 60 years of international study, I reflect with mutual pride and hope. From the lecture halls of Minhang Campus to the stones of the Great Wall, ECNU shaped my worldview. It lit a spark that still burns - driving me to lead, learn, and uplift others.