On 11 July 2024, the Seminar on Spain-China Vocational Education Bridge Plan held online.
The seminar was hosted by the World Skills Development Alliance, the FP Empresa, and the NALIKE International Education, and co-sponsored by Lanzhou Resources & Environment Voc-tech University, and co-organised by Guangxi Eco-engineering Vocational and Technical College, Yantai Vocational College of Culture and Tourism, Henan Polytechnic, Sichuan Province Chengdu Finance & Trade Vocational School, and Linyi Business School.
The seminar invited Chinese and Spanish experts and scholars as well as representatives from nearly 50 vocational colleges and universities across China to discuss the implementation path of internationalisation of vocational education and the related preparatory work.
Oscar Prat Van Thiel, President of the World Skills Development Alliance, said in his speech that the Alliance is committed to building a bridge between China and Europe for educational cooperation. This cooperation is of great significance, as the excellent courses of Chinese colleges will be integrated according to the talent cultivation needs and teaching system of Spanish colleges, and incorporated into the teaching programme of Spain after being reviewed by the official departments, so as to provide richer learning opportunities for local students and employees of enterprises.
The Spanish colleges are ready for this cooperation and look forward to working with Chinese colleges. In September this year, a Spanish delegation will visit China. We are looking forward to face-to-face communication between colleges of both sides, to discuss the prospects of cooperation and to implement relevant cooperation programmes. We also warmly welcome Chinese colleges to visit Spain. It is hoped that today's meeting will enhance mutual understanding between the two sides, further promote co-operation and contribute to the development of vocational education in China and Spain.
In her speech, Elena Argudo, Secretary General of the FP Empresa, expressed her expectation for the cooperation in vocational education between China and Spain. She introduced that the FP Empresa, as the only organisation in Spain that liaises with vocational institutions in China and Spain, has a profound influence in the field of vocational education in Spain. She believes that China-Spain co-operation in the field of vocational education is very meaningful, as the development and innovation of vocational education in China has been witnessed for all to see. She said that many Spanish institutions are eager to establish contacts and carry out in-depth exchanges with Chinese institutions and welcome Chinese institutions to visit Spain to learn about the local culture, food and achievements in the field of vocational education.
At the seminar, the preparatory units of the Spain-China Vocational Education Bridge Plan focusing on Chinese cuisine was announced, and the Chinese expert group was set up and the first batch of expert members were announced. The Executive Office of the Programme provided feedback on the existing curriculum standards recently submitted by the institutions, explaining how to revise them to meet the needs of talent training and teaching standards in Spain; and invited representatives of Spanish colleges to introduce the development and needs of the catering and renewable energy sectors in Spain.
