A team of international students, comprising three Pakistanis and one Malaysian, secured the second prize at the 2nd Jiangsu Provincial College “Silk Road E-Commerce” Innovation Challenge in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. Their award-winning project, a digital platform designed to modernize Pakistan’s urban transit infrastructure, stood out in a highly competitive field.

The competition, which kicked off on March 27, 2025, showcased global talent, drawing 377 teams from 59 universities across Jiangsu province, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Monday. A remarkable 1,529 students from 50 different countries, guided by 357 instructors, participated. After rigorous preliminary rounds and playoffs, 134 teams from 41 institutions earned a spot in the finals.

Among the successful participants was Zubair, a Pakistani student pursuing a three-year vocational diplomatic degree at Nanjing Vocational Institute of Railway Technology, set to graduate in June 2026. He teamed up with two fellow Pakistanis and a Malaysian student to develop their innovative concept, “The Core Connection”.

The project draws inspiration from the Orange Line (Lahore Metro) that has transformed urban mobility since its inauguration. As a project under the framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cooperation, the 27-kilometer Orange Line has demonstrated how modern rail systems can address urban transportation challenges in the country.

Building on this model, Zubair’s team proposed a direct digital supply bridge. The platform would connect Chinese manufacturing expertise with Pakistani transport authorities, creating a centralized hub for browsing parts, checking real-time inventory, placing orders and tracking international shipments. This digital solution is designed to overcome the challenges of distance and complex logistics, making the supply chain for essential metro components efficient and transparent.

“While our project is currently conceptual, this competition provided an invaluable platform to develop practical, real-world solutions,” said Zubair, expressing his pride in representing Pakistan. “We are deeply grateful for this learning experience and are inspired by the potential of e-commerce to foster international cooperation, particularly the enduring partnership between China and Pakistan.”

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China