Brazilian PhD holder starting a business in Wuhan | 巴西博士留汉创业

　　"Traveling by plane is the only option in Brazil, but in Wuhan I can choose from amongst many more convenient means of transportation," says Brazilian Renato Peneluppi, a PhD holder, about his recent high-speed rail trip from Wuhan to Shennongjia.

　　“在巴西，如果要旅游，就只能选择坐飞机。武汉没有这个问题，出行真的很方便。”最近，巴西博士任途（Renato Peneluppi）从武汉出发，乘坐高铁来了一场神农架之旅。

　　In his eyes, Wuhan is not only a transportation hub, but also an ideal place for entrepreneurs to build up their businesses. "With a highly intensive reserve of talents, Wuhan has the potential to become one of China's economic centers and even one of the world's in the near future."

　　任途眼中的武汉不仅是交通枢纽，更是创业热土。“武汉有成为中国未来、世界经济未来的潜力，因为武汉有高密集人才。

　　Peneluppi being interviewed Photo by Xia Junjun

　　'Wuhan will get better and better.'

　　“武汉会越来越好”

　　In 2010, Peneluppi came to Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) to study for a master's degree in Public Administration with the idea of learning about China's successful rapid development, and then continued to pursue a doctorate.

　　2010年，任途抱着想学习中国成功飞速发展经验的想法，来到华中科技大学攻读行政管理专业的硕士学位，之后又继续攻读博士学位。

　　As a newcomer to Wuhan, he was deeply impressed by the active pace of urban construction and development. He recalled that when he first arrived at HUST, there was a large pond of water near the university campus. He fell asleep on the bus on his way back to university after staying at a friend's place for two weeks. When he opened his eyes, he saw a building that was about two or three stories tall standing where the previous puddle had been. "I couldn't believe my eyes that a two or three storey building had been built within two weeks. It's just as the city slogan says, 'Wuhan, different every day'." This pond was later developed into the Optics Valley World Plaza.

　　火热建设中的武汉让初来乍到的任途印象深刻。他回忆，刚到华科大时，学校正对面还是一片洼地。有一次去朋友家待了两周再回学校，在回程的公交上睡着了。等到站睁开眼睛，发现之前的洼地屹立着一座高约两三层的建筑。“不敢相信，两周之内一座两三层的建筑就建好了。真的是‘武汉每天不一样。”这片洼地后来发展为光谷世界广场。

　　His aspiration to stay in this vibrant city after graduation was further strengthened by his father who came to visit him and said, "Stay here, as Wuhan will get better and better."

　　来武汉看望儿子的任途爸爸一番话更进一步坚定了他留在这个充满活力的城市的决心：“在武汉留下来，武汉会越来越好的。”

　　Peneluppi at East Lake Scenic Area Photos provided by Peneluppi

　　Flying over global time zones from Wuhan

　　从武汉飞越全球时区

　　In 2013, Peneluppi keenly noticed that as China was ushering in economic transformations, more high-tech companies were coming to Wuhan, and the Wuhan market had an increasing demand for high-tech and international talents. In the same year, he met his current business partner, the founder of Wuhan Hansheng Guanghua Culture and Education Co., Ltd., who also expressed a wish to start up an international education business in Wuhan. Therefore, after graduating with a doctorate in 2018, Peneluppi officially joined the company as the head of overseas business. His work includes managing overseas experts and providing support for Chinese students living and studying abroad.

　　2013年，任途敏锐地注意到中国正迎来经济转型，更多高科技公司来到武汉，武汉市场对于高技术人才、国际人才的需求与日俱增。同年，他遇到自己现在的合作伙伴-武汉瀚盛光华文化教育投资有限责任公司创始人，他表示自己想在武汉投身国际教育创业。也因此，2018年博士毕业后，任途正式加入该公司，担任海外业务负责人，工作内容包括管理海外专家，支持中国留学生国外生活学习等。

　　Peneluppi (left) and his partner at China International Import Expo

　　"A major challenge of doing international education is to overcome the time zone problem." Peneluppi says that during the overseas summer course season between May and August every year, the company needs to deal with a large number of calls, paperwork, and partners from different time zones around the world. "Sometimes, I leave the office at 8 p.m. and have more work to do later at home." His last video meeting was at 10 p.m., part of his challenging, yet enjoyable, experience working with a flexible working schedule.

　　“国际教育工作的一大挑战是克服时区问题。”任途说，每年五月到八月间正逢海外暑期课程季，需要处理海量的电话，各种文书表格，对接全球各地不同时区的合作伙伴。“有时会在公司工作到晚上八点。如果有更晚的衔接工作，我会在家完成。”最近一次视频对接会议是晚上十点，而这样的灵活机动工作状态既是挑战也是乐趣。

　　The Wuhan company has expanded its business to Xi'an, Shanghai and other cities, and set up branches in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. After the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020, the company had a very difficult period, but this also brought it new opportunities. "We tried online courses in 2014, but failed. But now the model has been revitalized and it has saved us. Today, our professors can have courses online for our students in any time zone."

　　公司的业务伴随着武汉的发展蒸蒸日上，扩展到西安、上海等地，也在洛杉矶、费城设有分部。2020年初武汉疫情爆发后，公司曾有过一段非常艰难的时期，但这也给公司带来了新的发展契机。“我们2014年尝试过线上课程失败了。但现在这种模式被重新引入，拯救了我们。今天，我们的合作教授不管在世界哪个地方，哪个时区，都可以在线上开展课程。”

　　Looking back on the past 12 years, Peneluppi concludes that what is being witnessed is China's rise to becoming a world power, and China's transition from poverty alleviation to common prosperity. "Witnessing this process itself is so moving. I am very proud to witness these changes with my own eyes." He revealed that the company will begin its market development of public relations in the future. "I hope to help our partners from Brazil and other Latin American countries build post-pandemic relations with China, especially with Wuhan."

　　回顾过去12年在汉生活，任途总结说，这是一个见证中国崛起成为世界强国的历程，也是见证中国从脱贫到实现共同富裕的历程。“见证这一历程本身就是动人的。亲眼目睹这些变化我很骄傲。”任途说，他透露，接下来公司还会拓展公关市场业务。“我希望能帮助我们的巴西合作伙伴，拉丁美洲的合作伙伴，重建疫后与中国特别是武汉的关系。”

　　(Edited by Ye Shiyu)