BEIJING: The China-Pakistan Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) – Industrial Center of Excellence was inaugurated during the Belt and Road Digital Education Development Forum.
This initiative aims to equip Pakistani youth with essential skills and Chinese language proficiency, focusing on 15 key fields including IoT, automation, textile, big data, and engineering, scheduled for priority in the coming year.
As reported by China Economic Net (CEN), the center’s curriculum will be delivered digitally, following a jointly developed set of standards. Teachers will receive specialized training to enhance their vocational expertise. Additionally, committees focusing on industries such as textiles, resources, environment, and food have been formed to offer students valuable internship and employment opportunities, strengthening Pakistan’s workforce and promoting economic growth.
“This initiative reflects the need for skilled talent among Chinese companies investing in Pakistan, as well as local firms adapting to industrial advancements,” stated Ammar Muhammad, Secretary General of the China-Pakistan International Industrial Academic Integration Alliance.
The alliance has garnered participation from over 300 universities and colleges and more than 80 businesses in both China and Pakistan, providing vocational training in crucial sectors like agriculture, information technology, healthcare, and energy.
Further plans for the center include establishing eight “smart” Chinese language centers, the first of which was unveiled at the forum, with support from Liaoning Petrochemical College. This collaboration in vocational education has accelerated since 2021.
Earlier this year, Pakistan’s first IT City opened in Lahore through bilateral cooperation, offering training in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, graphic design, cybersecurity, data analytics, machine learning, and game development.
Tang International Education Group President Li Jinsong highlighted that Chinese enterprises recorded RMB 220 billion in non-financial investments in Belt and Road nations last year, marking a 28% increase. He noted that as technologies like unmanned factories reduce demand for low-skilled labor, the emphasis on developing a skilled workforce in partner countries is vital, underscoring the importance of “Chinese language plus skill development” vocational education.
