In response to China’s "Belt and Road" Initiative and to deepen international cooperation in vocational education, from April 19 to 26, 2025, President Wang Wei of Beijing Polytechnic University led a delegation to Egypt and Morocco in Africa for a visit focused on vocational education cooperation and exchanges. This trip marked the university’s first international education exchange visit since its升格 (upgrade) to a vocational undergraduate institution. Its aim is to promote the sharing of vocational education resources, joint development of standards, and collaborative talent cultivation between China and North Africa, injecting new impetus into supporting international production capacity cooperation.
In Egypt, the delegation visited Benha National University, Helliopolis University, and New Cairo Technological University, all of which extended warm receptions to the delegation.
At Benha National University, President Tamer Samir received the delegation. The two sides held discussions on short-term student exchanges, Egyptian students studying in China, and faculty training, and signed a framework cooperation agreement. They plan to launch a summer school program this year to enhance student exchanges between the two institutions.
At New Cairo Technological University, President Tarek Mekhail hosted the delegation. The two parties exchanged views on joint program development, faculty exchanges, and Egyptian students pursuing further studies in China. The delegation also visited the university’s automotive training lab, mechanical training lab, and clean energy training lab.
At Helliopolis University, President Helmy Abouleish received the delegation. The two sides discussed Egyptian students studying in China and cultural exchange programs for students from both countries, and shared experiences in offering aesthetic education courses. After the meeting, the delegation toured the university’s practical training facilities.
In Morocco, the delegation attended the closing ceremony of the 2nd China-North Africa International Vocational Education Digital Innovation Skills Competition, participated in the opening ceremony of the "Chinese Language Workshop" at the Moroccan branch of CITIC Dicastal, and paid a visit to the Moroccan School of Information Design.
At the closing ceremony of the 2nd China-North Africa International Vocational Education Digital Innovation Skills Competition, delegation leader President Wang Wei delivered a brief speech and presented the organizers with a hand-painted scroll *The 24 Solar Terms*, created by students from Beijing Polytechnic University’s Chinese Language Learning and Testing Center. In his speech, Wang Wei noted that exchanges between China and Morocco have become increasingly close, and expressed the hope to further expand channels for cultural and skills exchanges among young people of the two countries. He also invited Moroccan youth to study and exchange at Beijing Polytechnic University. After the speech, the delegation took a group photo with Chinese and foreign contestants.
During a break at the closing ceremony, Wang Wei also held talks with Abdellatif Moukrim, President of Hassan I University, who had made a special trip to attend. The two sides affirmed the achievements in the construction of the Chinese Language Learning and Testing Center and reached a consensus on further expanding the scope of cooperation in the future.
At the Moroccan branch of CITIC Dicastal, the delegation visited the company’s exhibition hall and production lines, and held a cordial exchange with Badr Lahmoudi, CEO of the Moroccan branch. Badr Lahmoudi introduced the company’s development and its workforce needs. In his speech, President Wang Wei stated that Beijing Polytechnic University will join hands with CITIC Dicastal to provide "Chinese language + vocational skills" training for local employees of the Moroccan branch through the "Chinese Language Workshop" program. This training aims to enhance employees’ cross-cultural communication capabilities and vocational skills, meet the overseas development needs of Chinese-funded enterprises, improve employees’ Chinese proficiency and production skills, and help Moroccan youth better plan their career paths.
At the Moroccan School of Information Design, President Abdelaziz EL Kayloubi received the delegation. The two sides exchanged ideas on programs for Moroccan students studying in China.
This visit yielded fruitful results in focusing on the integration of industry and education, sharing vocational education experience, and deepening cultural exchanges. In the future, Beijing Polytechnic University will continue to build a cross-border vocational education cooperation ecosystem featuring "joint program development, co-research on standards, and collaborative talent cultivation," to cultivate more high-quality technical and skilled talents for the construction of the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the overseas development of Chinese-funded enterprises.
Location:
Dynamics