September 2019, the Pakistani alumnus HABIB-UR-REHMAN, who majored in International Economics and Trade and graduated in 2014 from the College of Business (COB), Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) won the Shanghai Magnolia Memorial Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the expatriate Safe Volunteer Service Team. Habib’s deeds have also been reported by several mainstream media including Jiefang Daily, Xinmin.com, Shine, Tencent, China.com and others.

In 2009, Habib came to China and began his study at SUFE. After studying Chinese for one year, Habib was admitted in the bachelor program in International Economics and Trade at COB, SUFE in September 2010. When talking about the topic of "study in China", Habib said, "The decision of studying in China was mainly influenced by my father." After graduation, Habib and his families both stayed in Shanghai and operated a handmade carpet store on Changning District.

Apart from the alumni of SUFE and ordinary foreign businessmen, Habib is one of the first foreign safe volunteers in Shanghai. He participated in the promotion of a series of urban new policies in Shanghai, including the remediation of traffic violations and the safety management of fireworks and firecrackers. Since he came to shanghai in last 10 years, Habib has witnessed the development and changes of Shanghai, and also witnessed the rapid changes in China.

"Shanghai is a compatible and inclusive soil"

Before coming to China, Habib's impression of China was "a distant and mysterious country." The Habib family runs the handmade carpet business. Under normal circumstances, the handmade carpet market mainly exists in developed countries or economically developed cities. By chance, a diplomat friend of Habib’s father told him, "China is the future."

After several years of inspection, in 2006, Habib’s father started the carpet business in Shanghai, and the shop was located in Shanghai Hongqiao Pearl City. Following in the footsteps of his father, Habib came to Shanghai in the summer of 2009. When he first arrived in shanghai, Habib felt excited and excited.

Although he has not been in Shanghai for a long time, he also witnessed the speed of social development in China: modern buildings are rising from the ground gradually and metro are becoming more and more dense. The same change is also reflected in Chinese ideology and culture. "I think this change comes from China's deepening process of opening to the outside world." He said.

In Habib's view, shanghai is a compatible and inclusive soil that absorbs the nutrition of foreign cultures, and pays special attention to the protection and development of its own traditional culture.

"The experience at SUFE cultivated my volunteer spirit"

"When studying at SUFE, in addition to studying, the school also organized many volunteer activities, which also made me experience the charm of volunteer activities in China." Habib said. Similarly, Habib also participated in the school's volunteer activity organization, and helped teachers set up and manage the international student volunteer team as well as assisted in the development of international student volunteer projects.

Habib observed that community volunteers played an irreplaceable role in many ways. "They wear uniforms and armbands, and guide pedestrians and vehicles to pass at the intersection in an orderly way." This made Habib feel deeply. "Most of the volunteers are senior citizens. At first I thought that they were required by the government laws, but then I learned that they are volunteers recruited by the community."

After that, Habib actively participated in various volunteer projects, "the experience at SUFE has cultivated my volunteer spirit." It is because of the excellent performance of Habib in academic and social practice that upon graduation, Habib won the outstanding graduates of the school. Only two overseas students won this honor, Habib was one of them.

Become a Safe Volunteer, "Make Shanghai Better"

As a foreigner who has been to Shanghai for 10 years, Habib can be called a "China Expert". When he finds that there is a problem with the foreigners who have just arrived in Shanghai, he will help them forwardly, explain to them the procedures for lodging registration and residence permit. In addition, with his own multilingual advantages, Habib also actively helped the police promote the relevant laws and regulations of China and preventive knowledge to the merchants in the mall and the overseas personnel who come to buy goods.

Over the years, more and more foreign friends have worked and lived in Shanghai. In his Chengjiaqiao area, Changning District alone, there are more than 4,000 foreign residents from more than 30 countries.

In the summer of 2016, Habib received a call from the police of Chengjiaqiao Police Station, inviting him to participate in the newly established Safe Volunteer Service Team in the community. Without saying anything, Habib agreed to the invitation of the police and became a member of the volunteer team. After joining the volunteer team, Habib’s first task was to help the police promote the Shanghai fireworks and firecrackers safety regulations.

"Shanghai is not only an open city, but also a metropolis that keeps improving. As a foreigner, I am fortunate to participate in witnessing the development and transformation of the city's increasingly sophisticated social management and orderly road transportation. It will attract more foreigners to live and work here. It is a very wise choice to come to Shanghai! "Habib said it in very fluent Mandarin.

"What does reform and opening up bring to China?" The 29-year-old Pakistani man thought for a while and said affirmatively: "It has created new opportunities for China and provided everyone with good opportunities."