Pakistan and China have agreed to introduce joint training programmes in areas such as construction engineering, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and hospitality management as part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In addition, efforts are underway to establish systems for mutual recognition of skills and vocational certifications with Saudi Arabia and Oman.
This development was announced following the official visit of Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), to China from July 6 to 12.
During a comprehensive briefing at NAVTTC Headquarters, Ms. Ahmad explained that the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and China in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
The initiative was launched under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
The visit was organized through the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Centre of Excellence (CPTICE), which serves as the primary bilateral platform for collaboration between the two countries in industry and education.
While in China, the Pakistani delegation held meetings at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing to discuss the implementation of TVET-related aspects of the China-Pakistan Joint Statement. The delegation also visited TANG International Education Group, the Chinese Secretariat of CPTICE, where a joint working session was held with Li Jinsong, the Chinese Chairperson of CPTICE.