Tianjin to host event on vocational education

Around 700 representatives from 123 countries and regions are expected to attend the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin from Friday to Saturday, the Ministry of Education said on Wednesday.

Themed "Vocational and Technical Education Development in the Post-pandemic Era－New Changes, New Ways and New Skills", the two-day event aims to build a vocational education communication and cooperation mechanism among different countries and build consensus on vocational education development, said Chen Ziji, director of the ministry's department of vocational and adult education.

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to economic development, employment and livelihoods in countries around the world, Chen said, adding that the vocational education sector should work together to push for high-quality development and contribute to building a better post-pandemic world.

In hosting the conference, China will be able to learn about the valuable experiences of other countries in vocational education development, and also introduce its experience and achievements in vocational education reform, he said.

The event includes an opening ceremony, main forum, closing ceremony and 14 sub-forums, focusing on a wide variety of subjects such as green vocational skills, poverty alleviation through vocational skills, and the integration of vocational education and industrial development.

A world vocational skills education development alliance will be formed by the China Education Association for International Exchange and domestic and international vocational colleges and schools, research institutes, organizations and enterprises.

A world vocational college skills competition and an exhibition on the integration of vocational education and industrial development will be held during the event.

The event will publish a white paper on China's vocational education development.

Approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, the event is hosted by the Ministry of Education, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Tianjin municipal government.

Jing Hongyang, director of the Tianjin Education Commission, said preparations for the conference had been completed and contingency plans have been made for COVID-19 epidemic containment.

As a hub of advanced manufacturing research and development, Tianjin has great potential to develop vocational education, he said.