Bangladesh and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a training centre under the China-Bangladesh Vocational Education, Training and Research Centre, opening a new chapter in cooperation on technical education and skills development.

Prime Minister's Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser and Chief Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office Mahdi Amin said the partnership in education, technical training and skills development would take the diplomatic relations between the two countries to a new height.

He made the remarks at the China-Bangladesh Education Exchange Conference held at Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University on Friday morning local time.

The MoU was signed by Md Daud Mia, secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division of Bangladesh's Education Ministry, and Prof Zheng Pengwu, vice president of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, on behalf of their respective sides.

Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in vocational training programmes, bilingual educational materials, educational resources, vocational education research, industry-education integration, industrial training in Bangladesh, study visits to China, and specialised training programmes for vocational education administrators.

The cooperation will also explore partnerships with Chinese-invested companies in Bangladesh to expand practical training opportunities.

Mahdi Amin said the cooperation should go beyond signing formal agreements and create employment and other opportunities for young people.

"Turning education into skills, skills into employment and employment into opportunities is our main objective," he said.

He said the MoU was not merely a document but a commitment to turn cooperation between the peoples of Bangladesh and China into practical opportunities.

Three major international education and research cooperation platforms were also formally unveiled at the conference.

Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon and Fan Honghui jointly inaugurated the China-Bangladesh Vocational Teacher Training Centre.

Mahdi Amin and Prof Pei Hongwei inaugurated the Bangladesh Vocational Education Research Centre at Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University.

Md Daud Mia and Prof Zheng Pengwu inaugurated the Bangladesh "Chinese Language + Skill Development" Cooperation Centre.

The initiatives are expected to create new opportunities for teacher training, practical training for students, industry links during final semesters, curriculum development, research cooperation, teacher and student exchanges, Chinese language and vocational education, industry-linked training and employment-oriented skills development in Bangladesh.

Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh remains committed to further strengthening the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and China under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He said the Prime Minister's engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping reflected the joint commitment to building bilateral relations based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and a shared future.

He said classrooms and industries, as well as education and employment, must be connected so that young people learn not only for degrees but also for careers, innovation and the future.

Mahdi Amin expressed hope that international-standard technical education, joint scholarships, teacher training and faculty exchanges would help connect young people with opportunities in the global economy.

Education minister stresses industry-linked training

Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon praised China's achievements in education, technology, technical training and industrial development.

He said Bangladesh was keen to learn from China's experience in building a modern, industry-linked vocational education system and apply practices relevant to the country's needs.

The minister said Bangladesh has a large and working-age young population, which is one of the country's major strengths.

With access to quality technical education, practical training and modern skills, he said, the young generation could become a highly skilled, productive and globally competitive workforce capable of contributing significantly to Bangladesh's future economic and industrial development.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that students acquire both academic knowledge and practical skills before entering the workforce.

Senior Chinese participants included Fan Honghui, deputy director of the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education; Wu Zuowen, director of the International Office; Prof Pei Hongwei, party secretary of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University; and Prof Zheng Pengwu, vice president of the university.

Presidents and representatives of renowned Chinese educational institutions, teachers, researchers, students and leading industrial entrepreneurs also attended the conference.

Representatives of 19 internationally recognised Chinese universities and technical institutes participated in the event.

The conference, MoU and three newly established cooperation platforms are expected to serve as important steps toward long-term Bangladesh-China partnership in vocational education, skills development, research and industry-education integration.

At the invitation of the Chinese government, Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon and Prime Minister's Adviser and Chief Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office Mahdi Amin are visiting China on a three-day official trip to attend various programmes and discussions on technical and vocational education.