The Unveiling Ceremony of Beijing Polytechnic& University Libre de Tunis-Construction of Overseas Technical Skills Teaching Base

On June 11, 2023, Yao Guangye, the president of Beijing Polytechnic, along with Ma Jun, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, Wang Donglin, Dean of the Basic Education College, and Liu Ying, Deputy Director of the Foreign Language Teaching Office of the Basic Education College, arrived in Tunisia. They attended the unveiling ceremony of the "Beijing Polytechnic & University Libre de Tunis- Construction of Overseas Technical Skills Training Base" and engaged in a two-day exchange with Tunisian universities, deepening discussions with four collaborating institutions.

On the morning of June 12, the delegation from Beijing Polytechnic visited University Libre de Tunis. They held discussions with Mr Mehdi BOUEBDELLI, the president of University Libre de Tunis, and a delegation of nine people regarding the future plans for the technical skills training base. The discussions covered topics such as professional talent development, academic exchange programs for faculty, student exchange programs, joint academic conferences, and collaborative research projects.

Following the discussions, representatives from both institutions attended the unveiling ceremony of the "Beijing Polytechnic & University Libre de Tunis- Construction of Overseas Technical Skills Training Base." This training base was established in 2021 and has been in operation for three years. During this period, it was recognized as an "Innovation and Development Achievement in Beijing Vocational Education" and participated in the selection for the "Future of Africa — a project for China-Africa cooperation on vocational education" organized by the China Education Association for International Exchange.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, the two universities held a virtual signing ceremony during the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). This visit marked the first face-to-face and direct exchange between the two institutions, and a plaque unveiling ceremony was conducted, with leaders from both universities jointly unveiling the base. This added significant meaning to the visit.

During the ceremony, Mr Mehdi BOUEBDELLI, the President of University Libre de Tunis, expressed gratitude and support for the establishment of the technical skills training base by Beijing Polytechnic at their university. He hoped that this initiative would further promote educational exchanges between Chinese and Tunisian universities, providing students with more opportunities for vocational skills training. Yao Guangye, the President of Beijing Polytechnic, stated that the plaque unveiling ceremony marked an important milestone in the educational cooperation between the two countries and was a crucial step in the international education collaboration of Beijing Polytechnic. He mentioned that through this technical skills training base, the college would provide Tunisian students with a broader learning platform and, in alignment with local industry needs, cultivate professionals demanded by the market.

From the afternoon of June 12th to June 13th, the delegation from Beijing Polytechnic visited ESAT University, EPI Education Group, and ISSCA Business School. They engaged in in-depth discussions on the future planning of collaborative majors at each institution and signed respective Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).

ESAT University

EPI Education Group

ISSCA Business School

In response to the national "Belt and Road" initiative and to further promote the internationalization of education, Beijing Polytechnic has collaborated closely with Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association. Together, they successfully established the "Beijing Polytechnic & University Libre de Tunis- Construction of Overseas Technical Skills Training Base" in Tunisia. The construction of this base reflects a series of policy initiatives, including the strategic layout of "The Belt and Road," the "High-level Vocational School and Specialty Construction Plan with Chinese Characteristics," and others. It represents an important step in exploring a new model of "consultation, joint construction, joint research, shared benefits, and mutual success" to promote China's education internationally and further enhance the country's international influence and leadership in education. The successful unveiling ceremony of the "Beijing Polytechnic & University Libre de Tunis- Construction of Overseas Technical Skills Training Base" marks a significant breakthrough in the educational cooperation between the two parties and is a crucial achievement for Beijing Polytechnic in the field of international education.

This exchange provides a crucial opportunity for educational cooperation between Beijing Polytechnic and various universities in Tunisia. It helps deepen the understanding of each institution's education situation, teaching methods, and potential collaborative majors. Furthermore, it facilitates the exploration of new cooperative initiatives in the education sector among the participating institutions, promoting better educational and cultural exchange between China and Tunisia. Overall, this exchange contributes to fostering more profound and extensive international educational cooperation in the future.