Chinese and Pakistani institutions signed a batch of agreements for cooperation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) at the China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Thursday. Eight Chinese vocational colleges from provinces including Jiangxi, Sichuan, Gansu, Anhui, and Xinjiang reached cooperation deals with Pakistani partners. The agreements aim to boost TVET collaboration across industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and trade, etc.

Three bases were unveiled to provide training to Pakistani students in Chinese language and vocational skills. A China-Pakistan Industry-Education Integration Community was also established to support talent cultivation in sectors such as rail transit, electric vehicles, and textile and apparel manufacturing. The initiative seeks to nurture market-oriented skilled professionals for Pakistan’s growing industries.

Additionally, a Smart Meteorology Professional Committee was launched under the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Center of Excellence. In a video address, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, said joint programs have been developed in areas including the Chinese language, education, energy, traditional Chinese medicine, healthcare, drones, e-commerce, livestock, rail transit, mechanical manufacturing, and smart meteorology.

More than 20 Chinese institutions have joined hands with dozens of Pakistani universities, education departments, enterprises, and social organizations under the partnership framework. Two female empowerment bases were also launched to offer skills training in tea making, cooking, and other trades, encouraging greater participation of women in vocational fields. A new program platform for Chinese language standards, assessment, teacher training, and curriculum reform has been introduced in 20 universities in Sindh Province to promote Chinese language education and cultural exchange.

Siddiqui also highlighted a milestone event last month, when bilateral institutions and the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Center of Excellence signed 12 agreements during the 2nd China-Pakistan B2B Investment Summit. According to Li Jinsong, President of Tang International Education Group, as China accelerates its high-quality opening-up, the need for skilled local professionals is growing rapidly. “By the end of 2023, Chinese enterprises’ overseas assets had reached USD 9 trillion, and cumulative outward direct investment stood at USD 3 trillion.

For major overseas projects, the demand for localized talent exceeds 2.7 million,” he said. In an interview with CEN, Sufyan Ahmed Mian, Education Attaché at the Pakistani Embassy in China, emphasized the importance of concrete projects to enhance youth employability. “Pakistan has around 150 million people under the age of 30. We want to turn that large youth population into a huge opportunity, especially by equipping them with skills for the digital economy,” he said.

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