For Ningxia and Marlborough, what began as a shared passion for viticulture has grown into a rich educational exchange.

Through student exchanges, visiting scholars, and joint university programs, the two regions are cultivating not just grapes but also the next generation of global winemakers.

Glenn Kirkwood, a senior viticulture tutor from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, brings decades of industry experience to the Ningxia University classroom.

In the first half of 2025, Kirkwood spent six weeks in Ningxia, teaching students on soil science.

"I'm born and bred in vineyards and have been working in vineyards all my life," said Kirkwood, 61.

"I researched Ningxia soils to make my teaching relevant," he said, adding that after going back to New Zealand, he continued to study Ningxia's soils and explore ways to improve their quality, including revegetation and other techniques.

His lessons resonated with students.

Kirkwood's soil science course compared Ningxia's arid, saline soils with Marlborough's fertile, low-pH terrain, "giving us the basic understanding of terrain, which is important for viticulture", said Lu Aihua, a Ningxia University wine engineering student.

"Teachers from Marlborough come over to give us lessons. Initially, we focused on learning the language and then moved on to specific solutions," she said.

"I like their interactive style. It gives us a solid grounding in soil and viticulture, and helps us better understand the wine industry," Lu said.

She said the lessons also cleared up misconceptions: "I've realized that cork isn't necessarily better than a screw cap — it simply depends on the wine's style and purpose. These classes really broaden my horizons."

Kirkwood said he will return in October with another focus on teaching wine marketing, including how lighter bottle designs could reduce Ningxia wine's export costs.

Li Ruyi, a lecturer at the School of Enology and Horticulture at Ningxia University, said: "Wine represents an opportunity to understand each other's cultural characteristics. In our classes, we enjoy New Zealand wine. And in New Zealand, their courses also include tasting Chinese wine.

"In this context, wine serves as a medium for both sides to continuously learn about each other," Li said.

She highlighted the joint program launched in 2023 with the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, in which students study three years in Ningxia and one year in Marlborough.

The initiative integrates Ningxia University's foundational winemaking curriculum with NMIT's industry-focused training.

"This framework exposes students to global viticulture standards, enhancing their English proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills," Li said.

Shared heritage

"It prepares students for careers in the global wine industry," Li said. "The sister-region friendship, rooted in shared winemaking heritage, amplifies the initiative's impact."

Catherine Harris, program team lead at NMIT, plays a key role in supporting Chinese students coming to New Zealand.

During her visit to Ningxia University last year, Harris explored the campus to better understand student needs, ensuring they are well-supported when studying abroad.

"One of the things that they'll find when they come is that there's a real practical component of teaching," she said, adding that Marlborough has a really strong winemaking community with people and expertise from all over the world.

With the NMIT equipped with its own winery and vineyard, "students combine theory in the classroom with hands-on work in the field", Harris said.

The curriculum emphasizes sustainable wine production, applied research, and close interaction with the region's international winemaking community, she added.

Lu, the student, said she is eager for her fourth year in New Zealand. "I really look forward to studying in Marlborough, experiencing the vineyards, and learning firsthand about the wine industry there," she said.