China-Pakistan Technical Education Center Launched to Empower Pakistani Youth
— November 2, 2024
BEIJING ( AIA ) In a significant move to boost economic cooperation and development, the China-Pakistan Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Industrial Center of Excellence has been unveiled at the Belt and Road Digital Education Development Forum. This initiative aims to equip Pakistani youth with industry-specific skills, focusing on 15 key disciplines, including IoT, automation, textile, big data, and engineering.
The center will develop a digital curriculum, aligned with mutually-formulated standards, and provide training for teachers to upgrade their vocational knowledge. Industry-specific committees in textile, resource and environment, and food sectors will offer exceptional internship and employment opportunities, contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth.
“This move aligns with the demand for talent by Chinese companies investing in Pakistan and local companies upgrading industrially,” said Ammar Muhammad, Secretary General of China Pakistan International Industrial Academic Integration Alliance. The alliance has attracted over 300 universities and colleges, and more than 80 enterprises from China and Pakistan, providing vocational training in key sectors like agriculture, information, health, and energy.
Key Initiatives:
– _Establishment of Smart Chinese Language Centers_: Eight centers are planned, with the first one unveiled at the conference, supported by Liaoning Petrochemical College.
– _IT City Pakistan_: Inaugurated in Lahore, providing training on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, graphic design, cybersecurity, data analytics, machine learning, and game development.
– _Vocational Training_: Focus on key sectors like agriculture, information, health, energy, and more.
Li Jinsong, President of Tang International Education Group, emphasized the need for local service ecology development to address the impact of new technologies. “The demand for low-skilled workforce shrinks, such as unmanned factories. This is happening at a faster pace than ever.”
This collaboration is part of China-Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen vocational education, which has been on the fast track since 2021.