Collaboration for Common Goals: Embarking on a New Journey—
BPC and South African DHET
Sign the Joint Declaration on Cooperation

On the occasion of the Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, on September 1, a delegation led by Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, Minister of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) of the Republic of South Africa, visited Beijing Polytechnic College (BPC). Both sides engaged in fruitful exchanges, expressed their willingness to collaborate in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and reached a preliminary consensus. On September 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The two heads of state announced the elevation of the China-South Africa relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership for the new era. Concurrently, the leaders proposed to foster a lasting friendship between China and South Africa, which is the common desire of both peoples, and strengthen exchanges and collaborations in the development of human resources.

(Scene of the signing ceremony of the joint declaration)

On the morning of September 7, the signing ceremony of the joint declaration on cooperation between the DHET and BPC was held in Conference Room 4, Jiangxin Building of BPC. Nkosinathi Sishi, Director-General of the DHET, Clarence Tshitereke, Special Advisor to the Minister of DHET, and Xolani Khumalo[01], Chief Director for International Relations attended the signing ceremony. Nkosinathi Sishi and Liu Chang'an, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee and President of BPC, signed the Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the Department of Higher Education and Training of the Republic of South Africa and Beijing Polytechnic College (hereinafter referred to as the "Joint Declaration") as representatives of both parties. Li Zhi, Deputy Director of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education of China, and Wei Xubin, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, witnessed the signing ceremony. Also present were Li Hongdong, Level I Division Rank Official of the Comprehensive Reform Division of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education, and Xu Dandan, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission. The ceremony was presided over by Zhou Yan, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Committee and Vice President of BPC.

(Dr. Sishi, Director-General of the DHET, delivers a speech)

Director-General Sishi expressed his hopes and aspirations for future cooperation between the two parties. He noted that on September 2, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two sides issued the Joint Statement between China, South Africa on the Establishment of All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era. The signing ceremony of the Joint Declaration is the tangible demonstration of the Joint Statement made by the two heads of state. It not only pertains to the collaboration between vocational colleges in both countries but also epitomizes the exchanges and cooperation in vocational educational between the two countries. This milestone will help elevate the two countries' educational cooperation to a higher level while broadening its scope. Mr. Sishi expressed his hope that the signing of this Joint Declaration will comprehensively facilitate in-depth and productive collaborations between South African vocational colleges and BPC, leading to the establishment of a long-lasting and robust partnership. He wished for the cooperation between the two parties to yield significant results, contributing more wisdom and strength to the development of vocational education in China, South Africa, and the broader world.

(Speech by Li Zhi, Deputy Director of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education of China)

Li Zhi, Deputy Director of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education of China, delivered a speech. He mentioned that in recent years, the Chinese government has placed considerable emphasis on the development of vocational education. A series of important documents have been issued, and various reform measures have been introduced, positioning vocational education as a vital strategic resource to support China's modernization process. At present, China has established the world's largest vocational education system. The country is now home to over 8,000 vocational schools with nearly 30 million students.

These include more than 1,500 higher vocational (technical) institutions, enrolling 17 million students. Located in Beijing, the capital of China, BPC is one of the most influential higher vocational schools in the city and even the entire country. In recent years, the college has made remarkable achievements in international education. BPC has actively pursued a "go global" strategy, particularly in its cooperation with Africa. This initiative aims to deliver educational services, share Chinese vocational education standards and teaching concepts with African partners, and develop localized teaching resources. The college has nurtured a significant number of highly skilled professionals who are in high demand, thereby boosting employment as well as economic and social development in the nations it has reached out. Through these efforts, BPC has significantly contributed to the exchanges and cooperation in vocational education between China and Africa, effectively building a bridge for cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two regions. The signing of the Joint Declaration between the DHET and BPC is crucial to further strengthening cooperation between China and South Africa in TVET. The Department of Vocational and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education of China will continue to support the implementation of the Joint Declaration. The department anticipates increased practical collaborations in vocational education between the two countries. It encourages vocational colleges in both nations to engage in exchanges, create flagship projects, and cultivate a greater number of highly skilled professionals, thereby injecting lasting vitality into regional economic and social development.

(Speech by Wei Xubin, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission)

Wei Xubin, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, made a speech. He stated that BPC, as a high-level vocational school with Chinese characteristics, takes the lead nationwide in terms of overall strength. South Africa, as one of the most economically developed countries on the African continent, has long considered vocational education to be an essential component of its economic and social development. The South African government has also introduced a string of policies to advance TVET, including funding plans, cooperation projects with technical colleges, and internship projects. Therefore, collaboration between the two parties can effectively capitalize on each other's strengths and continuously enhance diversified cooperation in areas such as scientific research, curricula, cultural exchanges, faculty, and more. Mr. Wei remarked that the signing of the Joint Declaration represents a promising beginning. Moving forward, both parties should continue to implement the consensus achieved during the meeting between the two heads of state, maintain the political direction of mutual progress, pursue mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, and uphold the common goal of lasting friendship. Both parties should prioritize vocational education as a guiding principle, expedite various demonstration school and vocational training center projects, and enhance exchanges and cooperation in the development of human resources. It is hoped that more vocational colleges in Beijing will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with their South African counterparts to jointly cultivate a greater number of high-level international technical talent. We welcome more outstanding students from South Africa to come to China and study, live, and work in Beijing, acting as envoys of friendship between China and South Africa and as bridges for cultural and educational exchanges.

(Speech by President Liu Chang'an)

President Liu Chang'an also delivered a speech. He emphasized that the signing of the Joint Declaration marks a significant milestone in enhancing exchanges and cooperation in vocational education between the two countries. It also represents another achievement in educational collaboration between China and Africa. President Liu stated that the two parties will seize this event as an opportunity to further deepen their collaboration, expand the scope of their cooperation, and innovate their cooperative model. The goal is to jointly develop an all-round, multi-level, and wide-ranging international vocational education cooperation system between the two countries. This can lead to the sharing and complementation of high-quality educational resources, providing platforms for young people from both nations to enhance their technical skills, and fostering more opportunities for mutual understanding and friendship.

(Deputy President Zhou Yan chairs the signing ceremony)

The signing of this Joint Declaration signifies the official establishment of a partnership between the DHET and BPC, opening a new chapter in vocational education cooperation between China and South Africa. Building on this milestone, both parties will collaborate on research initiatives, particularly in the fields of automobiles, digital innovation, and emerging technologies. They will also work together to organize teacher and student exchanges, develop educational resources, facilitate technology transfer and incubation, conduct vocational skill teacher development and training, and foster partnerships between BPC and South African vocational colleges, among other initiatives.

(DHET Director-General Dr. Sishi and President Liu Chang'an accept media interview)

After the signing ceremony, President Liu Chang'an and Director-General Dr. Sishi were interviewed by Beijing Radio & Television Station, China Education Television, and other media outlets to introduce the future focus of China-South Africa cooperation in education.

(The delegation visits the Educational Practice and Research Center for "Chinese + TVET" and other places)

Accompanied by President Liu, the delegation visited the Educational Practice and Research Center for "Chinese + TVET" as well as various other sites of BPC, including classrooms and audio-visual classrooms designed for international students. The guests expressed their deep appreciation for the college's accomplishments in international education.

(Group photo of leaders and guests present at the signing ceremony)

As former South African President Nelson Mandela said, "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb". Likewise, the cooperation between China and Africa continues to reach new heights along this journey. In the coming years, guided by the series of documents adopted at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the two parties will establish a long-term dialogue and cooperation mechanism and continuously enhance exchanges and cooperation in vocational education between China and South Africa. The goal is to cultivate a growing number of excellent high-quality technical talent for both countries, thereby advancing their economic and social development and strengthening the already splendid friendship between the two nations.

To achieve our common goals, we should unite and collaborate as we embark on a new journey. In recent years, under the frameworks of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative, BPC has actively promoted the international development of vocational education. The college has expanded its cooperation with African countries in this area and recruited international students. It has successfully cultivated a significant number of skilled technical professionals for African countries including Zambia, DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Guinea-Bissau. In the future, BPC will remain committed to strengthening the China-Africa friendship through vocational education initiatives. We aim to contribute to the development of both countries by enhancing technical skills and the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future with African partners.