Vocational program bridges nations

Six years ago, Ibrahim Maher, an Egyptian student who spoke barely any Chinese, arrived in China to begin a new chapter in his education. Today, he has graduated from Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College and enrolled in a Chinese university for his undergraduate degree. He has also won awards in international vocational skills competitions, thanks to his strong technical expertise.

Maher is among the first group of Egyptian students to come to China through the Luban Workshop, a vocational education initiative that has opened new pathways for international students.

Looking back on his studies at Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College last year, Maher said the biggest change was in his way of thinking.

"Back in Egypt, I mainly focused on completing specific tasks. After coming to China, I started to grasp concepts like design, programming, and problem analysis, which gave me a broader understanding of technology and strengthened my practical abilities," he said.

The Luban Workshop, launched by vocational schools in Tianjin in partnership with institutions across Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond, provides instructor training, advanced equipment, and opportunities for students to study in China, offering comprehensive support to enhance vocational education globally, said Li Yunmei, Party secretary of Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College.

"The Luban Workshop is not just about training students and teaching skills," Li said. "It also serves national diplomacy, addresses industry needs, and provides a platform for sharing China's vocational education model with the world."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Luban Workshop and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt.

Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has offered degree programs and skills training to thousands of students and established branches in Egypt, India, and other countries, supporting vocational collaboration and teacher development.

Li added that the initiative's impact goes beyond technical training. "At its core, the Luban Workshop emphasizes linking students with industry, helping them apply skills in real-world settings and fostering a practical understanding of vocational education," she said.

To put this philosophy into practice, the college has created direct channels for students to engage with enterprises. During a recent company visit, for example, Maher engaged in in-depth discussions with a corporate executive who is planning to establish China-Egypt joint ventures. The two exchanged contacts and agreed to stay in touch regarding potential cooperation and internship opportunities.

Adel Elsabaggh, head of the Luban Workshop project in Egypt, has also expressed hope for strengthening links between students and companies to better support talent development under the initiative.

According to the college, the Luban Workshop in Egypt aligns with the country's Vision 2030 strategy, offering programs such as CNC machining, renewable energy, and intelligent manufacturing to cultivate skilled talent.

These programs have integrated degree education into Egypt's national education system and have been recognized as a "Center of Excellence" pilot program in local vocational reform. They are helping to fill gaps in the training of high-level technical and skilled workers, Li said.

Throughout the initiative's development, the college has emphasized hands-on training and digital empowerment, introducing intelligent machining systems, humanoid robots, and virtual simulation platforms to enhance students' practical skills.

"When providing resources, we also consider our partners' ability to adopt them," Li said."We try to avoid introducing technologies that are too advanced and may be difficult to maintain in the long term."

With the rapid growth of emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and new energy, Li believes that internationalized vocational education will play an increasingly vital role.

"In the era of future industries, a single technical skill is no longer enough. Vocational education must cultivate interdisciplinary talent who can adapt to new technologies and evolving industrial demands," she said.

At Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College, this cross-disciplinary approach has already begun to take shape.

Last year, the college's School of Art organized a promotional contest for Wanzi Qianhong face cream, inviting international students to create marketing videos and explore ways to introduce this long-established Tianjin-based skincare brand — which sells for only a few yuan (about $1) in China — to overseas markets.

Students were also invited to sample Shanhaiguan soda, another well-known traditional brand, and discuss how to tell the stories of Chinese heritage brands in ways that resonate with younger audiences.

"We hope international students can become bridges for Chinese brands going global," Li said.

Looking ahead, Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College plans to further refine the Luban Workshop model.

In Egypt, the college aims to broaden the program's reach and support the digital transformation of traditional disciplines.

In Central Asia, it is exploring a partnership with the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan to jointly establish a Luban Workshop focused on intelligent manufacturing and new energy industries. The plan is to begin with online teacher training through the China-Europe Friendship Cities training base, gradually leading to the setting up of a physical site.

"We hope to build the Luban Workshop in Egypt into a more influential benchmark, allowing China's vocational education model to reach wider audiences and to create broader opportunities for youth development, industrial advancement, and cultural exchange between civilizations," Li said.

Huang Xiaoyang contributed to this story.