To promote cultural exchanges and educational cooperation between China and the U.S. and to facilitate high-quality international collaboration and exchanges in higher vocational education, the China-U.S. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Leaders’ Dialogue was held at Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology (NJUIT) on November 13, 2023. The Dialogue was sponsored by China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and organized by NJUIT. In attendance at the Dialogue were Jin Lei, Deputy Director of the Task Force of Vocational Education, CEAIE; Ding Xianzhong, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office, Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government; Zheng Xing, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Jiangsu Education Department; Preston R. Carr, Director of International Affairs and General Education, Chino Hills Unified School District; Zhou Lin, President and CEO of Bates Technical College; Chris Ferguson, Vice President of the University of Pacific; Wu Xuemin, Party Secretary of NJUIT; and Xie Yonghua, Chairman of the Vocational Education Committee of CEAIE and President of NJUIT. Mr. Pan Xuhai, Vice President of NJUIT, moderated the Dialogue.
On behalf of CEAIE, Jin Lei mentioned the great examples of Mr. Huang Yanpei, a pioneer of vocational education in China in the last century, and American educator Mr. John Dewey. Mr. Preston R. Carr looked forward to expanding bilateral cooperation in vocational education further. Mr. Ding Xianzhong noted that the interaction and collaboration between Jiangsu and the U.S. were built upon economic and trade partnerships, with cultural exchanges serving as a bridge. Zheng Xing hoped that the Alliance would give full play to its role in promoting exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and American vocational education institutions. Wu Xuemin introduced the historical origins of the collaboration between NJUIT and the U.S. and the University’s international development. Xie Yonghua introduced the progress of the Vocational Education Committee and the Jiangsu-U.S. Vocational Education Cooperation Alliance in promoting China-U.S. vocational education cooperation. Pan Xuhai expressed that vocational education must adapt to digital transformation, contribute to the training of technical and skilled talents, and serve the holistic development of students and high-quality economic and social progress.
During the event. NJUIT concluded agreements with Chino Hills Unified School District, Yangzhou Polytechnic College, and the Vocational Nursing Program of the Pacific College respectively in talent training and joint program development.
During the keynote speech session, initiatives taken by American institutions in promoting international development and digital empowerment in vocational education were shared by Zhou Lin and other presidents and experts. Leaders from both China and the United States expressed their hope for further cooperation in fields such as mutual credit recognition, faculty and student exchanges, and skills competitions.
More than 200 experts and scholars from China and the U.S. participated in the event, with nearly 2,000 guests watching the live streaming around the world.
On the afternoon of the 13th, 14 members of the Jiangsu-U.S. Vocational Education Cooperation Alliance held a work meeting.
2023 China-U.S. TVET Leaders’ Dialogue
Work Meeting of the Jiangsu-U.S. Vocational Education Cooperation Alliance
(International Cooperation and Exchange Division
Content by Zhou Zhong and Tang Wei
Edited by Chen Lu
Reviewed by He Zhengying)
