On February 18, under the guidance of the Division of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Education, hosted by China Education Association for International Exchange and organized by Shenzhen Polytechnic, the “Sino-Brazil Vocational Education Cooperation Seminar”, as a Brazil session in BRICS Vocational Education Series, was held successfully. Themed by “Deepening vocational education cooperation and building BRICS Vocational Education Alliance”, the seminar focused on the current situation of vocational education exchange and cooperation between China and Brazil, regional international talent training practice and exploration, cross-border integration of industry and education, school-enterprise cooperation, and other related topics. More than 40 representatives of industry organizations, colleges, universities and enterprises from China and Brazil attended the seminar. Yu Yougen, Deputy Secretary General of China Education Association for International Exchange, Jefferson Azevedo, vice chairman of National Committee of Brazilian Federal Vocational, Scientific and Technical Education Institutions Network, Chen Zhifeng, Deputy Director General of Shenzhen Education Bureau, and Xu Jianling, President of Shenzhen Polytechnic, attended the seminar and delivered a speech. The seminar was presided over by Li Yue, Vice-president of SZPT.

Yu Yougen pointed out that China and Brazil share broad common interests, rich cooperation and close cultural ties. Vocational and technical education is an important part of bilateral education cooperation. It is hoped that the two sides will actively practice multilateralism in education cooperation, focus on production capacity cooperation and layout adjustment, highlight distinctive advantages and development needs, adhere to co-building, sharing and common development, promote practical cooperation in vocational education, and jointly establish a BRICS vocational education alliance.

Chen Zhifeng stressed that education is an important part of BRICS cooperation and hoped to work with Brazil and other BRICS partners to further tap the potential of education cooperation and expand the depth and breadth of educational exchange; build bilateral and multilateral exchange and dialogue platforms to share and learn from BRICS countries about experience in vocational education development; promote academic exchange and international cooperation, and cultivate innovative technical talents with international vision.

Xu Jianling introduced the general situation of Shenzhen Polytechnic, characteristics of deep integration of industry and education, and cooperation with Brazilian colleges. He said the college will give full play to its own features and advantages, join hands with Chinese and Brazilian colleges and enterprises, actively participate in the cooperation of vocational education in BRICS countries, and contribute to the development of vocational education in BRICS countries.

Jefferson Azevedo introduced Brazil’s vocational education system and development experience, and shared the work of Brazilian Federal Vocational and Technical Education and Training Network. He expressed the desire to vigorously promote bilateral vocational education cooperation and looked forward to more in-depth exchange and cooperation with Chinese vocational and industrial enterprises.

Representatives from Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Federal University of Espírito Santo, Federal Institute of Education and Science & Technology in Paraiba, Federal Institute of Education and Science & Technology in Ceara, Brazil University Group, Brazil National Industrial Apprenticeship Service Center, Brazil National Center for Rural Learning and other organizations attended the seminar and made speeches on the current situation of bilateral vocational education exchange and cooperation, regional international talent training practice and exploration, cross-border integration of industry and education, school-enterprise cooperation, and other topics.

(By Li Simin, International Office)