High-profile speakers in harmony on ties between education and industry

The 2023 China-ASEAN Vocational Education Exhibition and Forum, along with the 2023 China-ASEAN Vocational Education Cooperation and Development Conference, took place in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Saturday to foster cooperation and communication between China and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Chairman of Guangxi Lan Tianli, China's Vice-Minister of Education Chen Jie, Vice-Chairman of Guangxi Li Changguan and officials from countries such as Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia attended the event.

"Vocational education exchange is an important component of China-ASEAN cooperation. With the comprehensive implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the orderly progress in the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement 3.0 negotiations, the prospects for China-ASEAN vocational education cooperation are broad and promising," said Lan.

"Guangxi is willing to collaborate with all parties to establish the China-ASEAN Institute of Modern Craftsman in ASEAN member countries. We will engage in cooperative efforts in academic education and vocational training, establish vocational education standards, share vocational education resources and nurture highly skilled talents. We will also foster the integrated development of industry and education, and facilitate the seamless connection among the education chain, talent chain, industry chain and innovation chain."

"China is committed to enhancing the top-level design of vocational education cooperation with ASEAN member countries. Together, we will formulate a China-ASEAN vocational education cooperation plan, with a particular focus on promoting the combination of government coordination and school operations, integrating vocational education with trade investment, linking language teaching with skills training, integrating vocational education with higher education and fostering resource sharing and standard building," said Chen.

Li's lecture emphasized the importance of strengthening the link between industry and education and outlined a new model aimed at promoting integration between the two sectors. According to him, Guangxi will establish 10 comprehensive platforms which will serve as hubs for talent cultivation, training, research and development, technological innovation and enterprise services. Another 10 platforms, led by industry regulatory departments, will be established in collaboration with industry organizations, upstream and downstream enterprises, research institutes, undergraduate universities and vocational colleges. Guangxi's commitment is also reflected in its support for the establishment of the China-ASEAN Institute of Modern Craftsman and the China-ASEAN Technological Innovation College. Guangxi aims to foster innovative models of cooperation and communication among all participants. The region is also dedicated to promoting the development and implementation of digital education platforms as part of its efforts to strengthen vocational education.

Phinij Jarusombat, a former Thai deputy prime minister and president of Thai-Chinese Cultural and Relationship Council, delivered an online speech, highly praising the results of educational exchange and cooperation between Thailand and China. He expressed hopes that the forum would become a leading banner in promoting China-ASEAN reform, innovation and new industrial development.

Khanthaly Siriphongphanh, vice-minister of education and sports of Laos, emphasized the necessity of human resource development in light of the rapid changes in job demands within a global and digitally interconnected world. She also acknowledged the significance of ASEAN-China collaboration in technical and vocational education and training, particularly through the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship Program (2021-26).

Aung Zeya, Myanmar's vice-minister of science and technology, emphasized close ties between China and Myanmar in the vocational education sector. He said that more than 100 students from Myanmar have been granted the opportunity to study in vocational education colleges in China. Zeya expressed his hope for continued collaboration between Myanmar and China in the fields of technology, vocational education and training.

Om Romny, secretary of state and minister of education, youth and sports of Cambodia, highlighted the development of Cambodia's support for China-ASEAN education cooperation. He mentioned that Cambodia is working toward improving its technological development and upskilling to meet the demands for a highly skilled workforce in the labor market. Cambodia hopes to collaborate with ASEAN member countries and China to promote education cooperation.

Donald Tong Chi-Keung, executive director of the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council, said that the VTC has created close relations with partners in Guangxi, and maintained strong ties with partners in ASEAN countries.

Tong mentioned that the VTC will leverage its platform and resources to assist educational exchanges and cooperation between Guangxi and ASEAN countries, collectively advance the progress of vocational education and nurture highly skilled individuals for society.

Sun Xiaoyun, deputy director of the education department of Shandong province, spoke of Shandong's commitment to enhancing vocational education exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN member countries. The province aims to jointly foster technical and skilled talents required by industries and assist the employment of the youth through vocational education collaboration.

The opening ceremony of the 2023 China-ASEAN Vocational Education Exhibition and Forum is held on Saturday. CHINA DAILY

A vocational school in Guangxi showcases its achievements in promoting vocational education. RUAN LIFENG/FOR CHINA DAILY