Pooling Strength in International Skills Cooperation: Joining Forces to Empower Vocational Education on the Global Stage

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Time  

— The Promotion Conference on International Skills Exchange and Cooperation and the Advancement of Vocational Education Going Global, hosted by member institutions of the Education Working Alliance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Multifunctional Economic and Trade Platform, was held in Chongqing.

On June 3, 2026, the Education Working Alliance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Multifunctional Economic and Trade Platform (hereinafter referred to as the Education Working Alliance) and the Chongqing Municipal Vocational Skills Appraisal and Guidance Center (Chongqing International Skills Exchange Center) jointly convened, at the Chongqing Public Service Base for Skilled Talent Assessment, an international skills exchange and cooperation conference titled “Pooling Strength for International Skills Cooperation, Joining Forces to Empower Vocational Education to Go Global.”

Wen Jixu, Secretary-General of the SCO Economic and Trade Platform; Deng Rui, former First-Level Inspector of the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, President of the Chongqing Association for International Educational Exchange, and Chairman of the Education Work Alliance; Zong Wei, Secretary of the Party Committee of Chongqing College of Electric Power; Zheng Zhoulian, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Chongqing Construction Engineering Vocational College; Zhang Guangfu, Deputy Secretary-General of the SCO Economic and Trade Platform and Special Representative of the Platform to the Education Work Alliance; Song Qi, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Vocational Skills Appraisal Guidance Center (Chongqing International Skills Exchange Center); Zhang Wenli, Secretary-General of the Higher Education Working Committee of the SCO Economic and Trade Platform and Chairman of the Board of Chongqing Transportation Vocational College; Li Guo, President of Chongqing Hailian Vocational College; Mao Delin, Executive Secretary-General of the Education Work Alliance; as well as all leading officials and department heads responsible for international exchange and cooperation, industry–education integration, and related areas from the higher education and secondary vocational education working committees under the Education Work Alliance—representing all higher vocational colleges in Chongqing and specially invited general universities such as Chongqing University and Chongqing Normal University, along with secondary vocational schools—attended the meeting. Additionally, nearly 80 representatives and experts from selected member institutions and partner organizations of the Education Service Working Committee under the Education Work Alliance and the SCO (International) Green and Low-Carbon Industry–Education Integration Community, located in Beijing, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Shenzhen, and other regions, were also present.

This meeting was chaired by Hu Bin, former Second-Level Inspector of the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission and Vice Chairman of the Education Working Alliance of the SCO Economic and Trade Platform.

Deputy Director Song Qi, drawing on the spirit of the “Notice on Strengthening International Skills Exchange and Cooperation” (No. 1 [2026]), jointly issued by the Education Work Alliance and the Chongqing Municipal Vocational Skills Appraisal and Guidance Center (Chongqing International Skills Exchange Center), outlined plans for systematically and efficiently advancing key initiatives—such as international skills‑teacher training, international skills certification, and the initiation and organization of international competitions—by leveraging the working mechanisms established between the Center and the Education Work Alliance.

Dr. Ji Yuanshuo, a hands-on expert from the department in charge of vocational education’s international expansion at China Education Group, elucidated the policy orientations and guiding principles of the central government and the Ministry of Education regarding the overseas development of vocational education. He also presented nationally recognized exemplary cases of vocational education going global, which have been commended by national leaders and the Ministry of Education, and proposed a new “group‑based” approach to internationalization that differs from relying solely on commercial intermediaries. Meanwhile, Director Chen Hong of Chongqing Modern Vocational and Technical College shared her institution’s innovative experience in pioneering and implementing an integrated school–enterprise, industry–education‑aligned model of education.

Vice Chairman Hu Bin, drawing on the Education Work Alliance’s 2026 work plan and objectives, made specific arrangements for member institutions to engage in pragmatic, collaborative efforts to promote international skills exchange and cooperation, advance vocational education overseas, establish SCO‑related industry‑education integration communities, implement the SCO (International) Skills Talent Development Program, and facilitate the global outreach of educational equipment and related cooperative projects.

Eight member institutions—including Chongqing Electric Power College, Aerospace Vocational Institute, Construction Engineering Vocational Institute, Three Gorges Vocational Institute, Urban Vocational Institute, Resources and Environmental Protection Vocational Institute, Information Vocational Institute, and Hailian Vocational Institute—have signed strategic cooperation memorandums of understanding with the International Exchange Center of the SCO Economic and Trade Platform, covering areas such as international skills cooperation and the overseas expansion of vocational education.

In his concluding remarks, Chairman Deng Rui of the Education Work Alliance, in light of the current international landscape, underscored the imperative of advancing the internationalization of vocational education and highlighted the unique advantages of leveraging the SCO Economic and Trade Platform and the Education Work Alliance to pursue a coordinated, collaborative approach to expanding vocational education overseas. He urged all member institutions to capitalize on their respective strengths, proactively apply to participate in the initiatives and projects outlined at this conference, and work together with unwavering commitment, practical action, and rigorous quality control. By pooling resources and efforts, they should continue to build flagship programs with global influence, thereby making further contributions to supporting the country’s broader strategy of opening up and to forging an even closer community with a shared future within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

(Contributed by the Platform Education Working Alliance)