ISLAMABAD
China and Pakistan on Tuesday signed a package of cooperation documents and launched joint programs to advance vocational education, with a focus on integrating industry needs with skills training, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Thursday.
The agreements were announced at the “Seminar on International Cooperation and Exchange: Integration of Industry and Education in Vocational Education between China and Pakistan” held in Beijing. At the ceremony 21 items were signed and five cooperation platforms were unveiled, covering professional standards, shared teaching resources, faculty and curriculum development, and enterprise-linked training bases.
Under the Professional Standards and International Teaching Resource Database track, partners agreed to develop standards and resources in disciplines such as Culinary Arts & Nutrition, Fashion and Costume Design, Food Inspection and Testing, Supply Chain Operation, Fine Chemical Technology, Modern Agriculture Production, and Information Security Technology Applications, with participation from Pakistani authorities including NAVTTC and provincial technical education and training bodies.
A second set of Vocational Education “Brand Going Global” agreements established workshops and colleges aligned with priority sectors. Examples include the Saishang Workshop in culinary training, a China–Pakistan Automotive Overseas Workshop for New Energy Vehicle Technology involving Hunan Automotive Engineering Vocational University, NAVTTC, and MG JW Automobile Pakistan Limited, and the Kaiwu Workshop in HVAC training with Heilongjiang College of Construction and corporate partners.
A three-party MoU on short-term training and digitalized courses was also signed by PVTC, ITMC, and UNI Services International. Speaking at the seminar, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi noted that cooperation has “moved beyond conceptual discussions” and entered “a new phase of practical advancement,” adding that “vocational education has the ingredients to transform the dreams of young people into jobs, skills and employment.
“ NAVTTC Executive Director Muhammad Aamir Jan emphasized building a scalable workforce for CPEC/BRI projects and industrial zones, expanding cooperation from conventional trades into areas such as manufacturing, digital technologies, energy and modern services. Max Ma of ITMC Technology Co., Ltd. said that by sharing knowledge, skills, and achievements, the company aims to help Pakistani youth benefit in meaningful ways—using education to transform their prospects and build better lives.
He added that ITMC’s steadfast commitment to “doing the right things, even when they are difficult” has kept the company firmly on course in supporting young people to pursue and realize their dreams. Meanwhile, Pakistan is significantly enhancing its agricultural modernization efforts by deploying 1,000 specialists to China for specialized training, a key initiative under the diplomatic commitment of both nations’ leaders, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Thursday.
The multi-phase program, designed to cultivate expertise in advanced agricultural technologies, biotechnology and sustainable practices, has already seen around 700 professionals return to Pakistan with enhanced skills, while new groups continue to arrive for ongoing and upcoming training sessions.
A key component of this initiative is the current training on seed production and processing technology. Jointly organized by Huazhong Agricultural University — a leading Chinese university in agricultural sciences — and Wuhan Qingfa-Hesheng Seed Co., Ltd., which has over two decades of collaboration experience with Pakistan, the program runs from November 10 through next February.
It adopts an integrated “theory plus practice” approach designed to enhance the professional competencies of 56 Pakistani participants. All the trainees hold at least a master’s degree and represent diverse sectors including government, businesses, academia and civil society organizations from across Pakistan. Notably, 11 female participants are contributing to the growing role of women in agricultural innovation.
The curriculum encompasses critical areas such as crop breeding science, seed production systems, variety selection and processing technologies. Through visits to production facilities, research laboratories and corporate farms, participants gain hands-on exposure to modern agricultural operations.
Mr. Muhammad Anser, a seed industry representative from Gujranwala, Punjab, shared his experience midway through the program: “This training has provided us with remarkable exposure to China’s technological advancements.
The integration of molecular-assisted breeding, gene editing and industrial research demonstrates how innovation translates into tangible farming solutions.”
