[Explanation] The Guangxi International Sister Cities Vocational Education Alliance was established and started operation in Nanning on November 30. The alliance is the first "sister city +" cooperation mechanism established by Guangxi on the platform of international sister cities.
Up to now, a total of 37 colleges and universities from 15 sister cities in 10 countries including Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Russia, and Greece, and 22 vocational colleges in 9 cities in Guangxi, China have signed up. The professional fields cover Information technology, industrial skills, railway manufacturing, civil engineering, agriculture and forestry, financial economy, business management, hotel management, education and training, etc.
As more and more Chinese companies participate in the construction of ASEAN countries, many Chinese vocational colleges have the willingness to let students go out to study and communicate early.
Wu Kun, the principal of Guangxi Jianshe Vocational and Technical College, said that the international cooperation of vocational colleges is conducive to enhancing vocational college students' understanding of different countries and making it easier for their future job development.
[Concurrent] Wu Kun, President of Guangxi Construction Vocational and Technical College
First of all, through the alliance, we can better understand some local customs and different living habits faster and better. Through the alliance, we can gather these resources faster. From the perspective of students, overseas students and our domestic Students can have a platform for mutual communication through the alliance.
On the one hand, we can hope to go out by ourselves, but on the other hand, we also welcome students from ASEAN countries and countries along the “Belt and Road” to come to our school to study and communicate.
[Explanation] According to Zhou Wang, the principal of Nanning Vocational and Technical College, with the development of countries along the "Belt and Road" and ASEAN countries, these countries have an increasing demand for vocational skills talents and vocational skills services. At the same time, China's vocational Institutions also need to learn technology and educational experience from schools that started earlier, so as to promote teaching reform.
Zhou Wang said that strengthening international vocational education cooperation can help students broaden their international horizons and improve their quality and ability for cross-border employment.
[Concurrent] Zhou Wang, Principal of Nanning Vocational and Technical College
Through international education, first of all, students should develop an international perspective, be familiar with international rules, and have the quality and ability to work across borders. This is the biggest gain for students.
The overall employment environment for (students) is wider. He doesn’t just talk about our country. We currently have many students in some countries in Southeast Asia, including Africa, where we also have some students.
Internationalization can bring students a higher high-quality employment rate.
[Explanation] Zhou Tong, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and vice president of the Guangxi People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, introduced that since Guilin, Guangxi and Kumamoto, Japan established sister city relations in 1979, Guangxi has established 125 friendship cities with 38 countries around the world. Sister cities, including 57 pairs of sister cities with ASEAN countries.
Zhou Tong said that in today's world, countries are paying more and more attention to the development of vocational education, and regard vocational education as an important starting point for improving productivity, promoting industrial development, and promoting employment and entrepreneurship.
[Concurrent] Zhou Tong, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Vice President of Guangxi People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
Over the past 40 years, Guangxi and its international sister cities have carried out exchanges and cooperation in various forms in high-level mutual visits, economic and trade promotion, industrial and agricultural production, education and training, cultural tourism and other fields. The content of exchanges has become increasingly rich and the areas of cooperation have continued to expand.
Vocational education is an important part of the national education system and human resources development. It shoulders the important responsibility of cultivating diverse talents, inheriting technical skills, and promoting employment and entrepreneurship. It plays an important role in the economic and social development of countries and regions.
With the development of economic globalization, digitalization and industrial refinement, and the acceleration of the upgrading of science and technology and practical technology, countries urgently need and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in vocational education. Through mutual learning and mutual construction, they can achieve complementary advantages and common development.
Wang Weichen, Chen Qiuxia, Wu Xian reported from Nanning
Responsible editor: [Ye Pan]