The TVET Leadership and Management Benchmarking Programme held in Tianjin and Beijing 14-20 August 2023

To foster collaboration in the area of vocational and technical education and training (TVET) between China and Southeast Asian nations, the TVET Leadership and Management Benchmarking Programme was held in China from 14-20 August 2023. The Benchmarking Programme kicked off with field visits and a Seminar in Tianjin on 15-16 August, following a Training Workshop on Vocational Education and Digital Technology Applications in Beijing from 18-19 August, in conjunction with the Global Smart Education Conference (GSE 2023) from 18-20 August. The auspicious event was co-sponsored by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), Beijing Normal University (BNU), Tianjin Municipal Education Commission (TMEC) and SEAMEO Regional Centre for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED). It was co-organized by the UNESCO Chair on Artificial Intelligence and Education (AIED), UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (UNESCO INRULED), and Tianjin Light Industry Vocational and Technical College (TLVTC).

Distinguished attendees who graced the occasion were education officials, vocational school principals, managers, institute and university management and head teachers who are TVET partitioners from 17 TVET institutions of 8 Southeast Asian countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and China, who took part in the 7-day benchmarking program, which included field trips, seminars, workshops, and cultural activities. There are 31 participants from 18 technical education institutions from 8 countries in Southeast Asia, including Brunei (2), Cambodia (7), Indonesia (6), Malaysia (3), Philippines (3). Singapore (1 ), Thailand (3 ) and Timor-Leste (6 participants).

program, participants had opportunity to participate in the Seminar on China-SEA Countries Vocational Education and made study visit and investigate for lesson learnt at Tianjin Ligh Industry Vocational College, Tianjin Vocational College of Mechanics and Electronics, Tianjin Maritime Vocational College, Tianjin Motor Dies Co LTD, Office of Chiana Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and Alibaba in Beijing. During the visit and investigation, participants had an opportunity to gain some significant lesson learns and experience the colleges and industries, which are applicable for their schools. Participants had a better understanding of the level and status of technical education development, curriculum and projects, technical facilities and locations of major technical education institutions and so on

As a highly anticipated event of the TVET Leadership and Management Benchmarking Programme, the “Training Workshop on Vocational Education and Digital Technology Applications” was held at Beijing Normal University’s Changping Campus from August 18th to 19th. The gathering brought together school principals from vocational and technical education institutions in Southeast Asian countries. Hosted by the UNESCO Chair on AI in Education (also referred to as the AIED Chair), the workshop aimed to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Education (SDG4) by exploring innovative ways to use digital technology for a more effective and flexible TVET system.

During the benchmarking program, SEAMEO TED Management and all participants had an opportunity to attend and gain some important lesson learn and knowledge from the Global Smart Education Conference 2023, which included keynote speeches and keynote speeches, presentation, panel discussions and book lunching by top and experience speakers from both private and public sector in China around the world.