3 platforms launched to boost technical education cooperation with China

Bangladesh has launched three new platforms to strengthen cooperation with China in technical education, teacher training, research and skill development. The platforms were inaugurated at the 'China-Bangladesh Education Exchange Conference' held in China's Jiangxi province on Friday, August 28. A memorandum of understanding was also signed at the conference to establish a China-Bangladesh Vocational Education, Training and Research Centre.

According to the Ministry of Education's public relations wing, the three platforms launched are: China-Bangladesh Vocational Teacher Training Centre, Bangladesh Vocational Education Research Centre, and Bangladesh 'Chinese Language+ Skill Development' Cooperation Centre.

Officials said the conference was organised by the Jiangxi provincial government and Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University. Bangladesh was represented by Secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division Md Dawood Mia, who signed the MoU. China was represented by Professor Zheng Pengwu of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University. Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon and the Prime Minister's Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin were also present at the event.

Under the MoU, both sides will cooperate in various areas, including technical training programmes, development of bilingual educational materials, industry-academia linkages, research centres, industrial training, study tours to China, and specialised training programmes.

The China-Bangladesh Vocational Teacher Training Centre was inaugurated by Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon and Jiangxi Provincial Education Department Deputy Director Fan Honghui. The Bangladesh Vocational Education Research Centre was launched by the Prime Minister's Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin and Professor Pei Hongwei of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University. The Bangladesh 'Chinese Language+ Skill Development' Cooperation Centre was inaugurated by Secretary Md Dawood Mia and Vice-President Professor Zheng Pengwu.

Speaking at the conference, Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said Bangladesh's youth population is the country's greatest strength. Through quality technical education, practical training and modern skills, they can be transformed into globally competitive workforces.

He said technical and vocational education must be closely linked to the real needs of industry and employment. For this, Bangladesh-China cooperation needs to be strengthened in curriculum development, teacher training, institutional partnerships, modern technology, practical education and employment-oriented learning. Deeper cooperation with Chinese universities, vocational institutions and industries would help strengthen Bangladesh's technical education system.

The Prime Minister's Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser Mahdi Amin said the signing of the MoU marks a new chapter in Bangladesh-China technical education cooperation. The goal is to ensure this cooperation goes beyond formal agreements and creates employment and new opportunities for young people. The aim is to transform education into skills, skills into employment, and employment into opportunities.

The conference was attended by senior officials from the Jiangxi Provincial Education Department, representatives from universities, vocational institutions and industries, along with the high-level Bangladeshi delegation. Nineteen universities and vocational institutions from Jiangxi province took part in the conference.