Delegates from People’s Republic of Bangladesh Participated in Training Program “China Education Development Experience Sharing and Cooperation Platform (under construction)—University-Industry Linkage” organized by the Graduate School of Education, Peking University

As a way of implementing the “One Belt and One Road” initiative and realizing Beijing’s position as an international exchange hub, the Graduate School of Education (GSE) and Institute of Economics of Education (IEE) at Peking University (PKU) are in the process of designing a China Education Development Experience Sharing and Cooperation Platform (CEDEP, under construction) jointly with the Asian Development Bank. The platform welcomed its first training delegation from Bangladesh under the theme of University-Industry Linkages (UIL) from November 14 to 15, 2017.

Group picture of UIL delegation of Bangladesh

In the morning of November 14, 2017, representatives from Ministry of Finance and four Bangladesh universities gathered at Yingjie Exchange Center of PKU to attend the UIL Training Program held by CEDEP under GSE. At the outset, Professor Chen Xiaoyu, Dean of GSE, delivered a welcoming speech. Dean Chen gave a snapshot of the history of GSE and IEE as well as a series of projects undertaken by GSE entrusted by Asian Development Bank. Against the context of building world-class universities and world-class disciplines, Chinese government are encouraging higher education institutions to expand their global presence and have more frequent education exchanges. Mr. Islam, Deputy Executive Director of Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP), introduced the background of SEIP and his delegation.

Dean Chen Xiaoyu and Mr. Islam exchanged gifts

Professor Ha Wei shared his experience with a report entitled Innovative Practices of Skill Development in China’s University-Industry Linkage. He illustrated how China’s national innovation system was shaped and what it means for China drawing on the triple helix model of university-industry-government. Professor Ha showcased innovative practices of skill development in China’s University-Industry Linkage with the examples of Tsinghua Science Park, Peking University Founder Group, and Shenzhen High-tech Industrial Park. He further pointed out that higher education institutions of different types could play different roles in UIL (i.e. technology innovation and skills development) and how its outcomes are at least partly shaped by local institutional contexts, such as the incentive systems in place. Professor Ha’s presentation was followed by presentations by University of Dhaka, East West University, Bangladesh University of Textiles, and BRAC University. Bangladesh representatives shared their experiences under the SEIP program.

Professor Ha Wei Presenting

In the afternoon of November 14, Prof. Yang Po, an associate professor of GSE shared her observations on China’s university-industry cooperation in practice. Professor Yang introduced China’s vocational college-industry cooperation from three aspects. First, she briefly reviewed China’s vocational education context and related policies. Next, she discussed the major characteristics of different types of vocational college-industry cooperation in Chinese regions. She concluded her presentation with a case study of successful UIL cooperation in Hunan province.

Yang Po, associate professor with GSE, PKU shares experience on China’s UIL

On November 15, the delegation of Bangladesh went on a field trip to Beijing Vocational College of Transportation (BVCT). President Li Yiyun of BVCT introduced the delegate’s experiences on developing curriculum, teaching and learning, and practical training with industry partners. He also previewed BVCT’s plan of constructing their international education exchange programs under the “One Belt and One Road” initiative of Beijing Municipal government. After the brief discussion, the delegation toured several on campus practical training bases. The training program concluded with a study tour to one of BVCTs’ corporate partners, Beijing Railway Transit Management Corporation.

Delegation of Bangladesh visiting practical training base of BVCT

The two-day training program not only shared China’s vocational education experience, but also promoted cultural exchanges and interactions between the two nations. Going forward, CEDEP will step up cooperation and exchanges with other countries, facilitating Beijing’s new position as a “international exchange center”.

(Source: CEDEP under construction)