Industry-college alliance expanding globally to aid Chinese companies

Amid the country's urge to boost high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, a Chinese industry-education alliance is expanding globally to help more Chinese enterprises going overseas.

On June 27, the "Tiangong College" Alliance was established at Jiangxi Vocational College of Foreign Studies, grouping 101 universities and colleges, and 18 enterprises in Jiangxi province, and borrowing its name from Tiangong Kaiwu (Heavenly Creations) — a book by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) scientist Song Yingxing from Jiangxi.

Within less than five months, it had established Tiangong Workshops in seven countries, helping train talent for Chinese enterprises operating abroad.

On July 5, an unveiling ceremony was held at the China-Europe Trade and Logistics Cooperation Park in Budapest, setting up the first "Chinese Language Workshop" in Central and Eastern Europe.

"This workshop will inject new vitality into China-Europe economic and trade relations," said Gyorgy Laszlo, an official from the Hungarian prime minister's office.

Yu Yunfeng, director of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China's Ministry of Education, stressed: "It is a vivid practice of China's vocational education 'going global'. It will radiate across Central and Eastern Europe, becoming a highland for talent cultivation and economic cooperation."

Gabor Balazs, CEO of the park, said the first phase of the workshop has trained over 80 local employees, with an annual target of training 500 international talents to help park enterprises. Its general manager Tian Hongbing said the project can reduce communication costs for Chinese enterprises by some 30 percent.

Akos Kovacs, a Hungarian employee at the park, said: "Through the workshop's module, I learned to describe supply chain processes in Chinese. Now, I can directly discuss cargo Customs clearance with partners in Jiangxi and my work efficiency has more than doubled."

"This isn't just a language course; it's a key to unlocking the Chinese market," he said.

On Sept 9, Yan Bin, Party secretary of JXVCFS, paid a visit to Hungary. Eleven days later, it decided to launch its Hungarian branch (Tiangong Workshop), covering teaching facilities and practical training equipment, and incorporating more Jiangxi elements such as ceramic design studios.

The communique published following the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China urged to pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and extend the reach and appeal of Chinese civilization.

Every step taken by the alliance is driven by the "pressing demands" of enterprises operating overseas.

Liu Zhongpei, assistant to the chairman of Zhongyang Construction Group, noted: "During our Ethiopia Social Security Building project, the shortage of local skilled workers exceeded 40 percent. Our company had to dispatch key personnel from China, increasing labor costs by 30 percent."

The alliance responded actively, collaborating with other organizations to establish applied technology universities and vocational training centers overseas, developing occupational standards that meet local needs.

In partnership with Jiangxi International Corp, JXVCFS has set up overseas branches in Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania, and delivers cross-border e-commerce courses in the UK.

The alliance has expanded its role by exporting Jiangxi (Gan) cuisine and infrastructure expertise.

In October, an academic exchange delegation from JXVCFS, led by Professor Huang Guoqing, visited Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, a private comprehensive university in Malaysia, with both sides reaching a consensus on jointly establishing Southeast Asia's first "Tiangong Workshop".

"On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, this platform will deepen the kinship between our peoples, making the concept of 'Malaysia-China Friendship' more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people," said Lee Sze Wei, president of TAR UMT.

A Malaysian engineering student, Amina Ali, noted: "Professor Huang's lecture showed me the 'speed and human touch' behind China's infrastructure projects. I plan to apply for an exchange program to study in Jiangxi."

"Tiangong College" is rapidly evolving from a regional Jiangxi brand into an international vocational education identifier, and it expands with a three-pronged strategy — standards, culture and competitions.

So far, the number of member enterprises in the alliance has increased to 20, and their overseas training programs have grown by 80 percent year-on-year.

JXVCFS President Zhu Longliang said: "By 2027, the alliance aims to establish itself as a globally influential brand in vocational education going global, contributing more Jiangxi solutions to the Belt and Road Initiative."