Mozambique looking to strengthen cooperation with China in vocational education

Mozambique is looking to strengthen cooperation with China in vocational education to introduce Chinese experience and technologies, enhancing the professional skills of young Mozambicans and improving their employment prospects.

The closer cooperation in vocational education is based on a long-standing friendship and fruitful partnership in many other sectors including agriculture, infrastructure and healthcare between the two countries, said Maria Gustava, ambassador of Mozambique to China, at a conference in Beijing on Thursday. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mozambique.

Gustava said that Mozambique is committed to an educational reform on skills improvement, which will help its young people to better land jobs, and reach inclusive personal development.

She emphasized the importance of technology in advancing vocational education, adding that Mozambique is seeking cooperation in areas such as developing digital learning resources, implementing smart training platforms and promoting teachers' digital skills with China, thus building a more integrated vocational education system for its young people.

At the conference, the Mozambique's Ministry of Education and Culture signed a memorandum of understanding with Hainan Guoyu Education Research Institute, a Chinese private research center focusing on international vocational education cooperation in the southern province of Hainan.

Xu Shijie, executive vice-president of College Graduates Employment Association with the Ministry of Education, said that promoting the vocational education cooperation between China and Mozambique is of great significance as the two nations have adhered to the principles of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and forged a profound friendship in political trust, economic collaboration, and cultural exchanges.

"Mozambique is at its key period of industrialization and infrastructure construction, showing thirst for skilled talent," he said. "China's vocational education results and progresses in smart manufacturing, modern agriculture and digital economy may offer effective references to Mozambique."

He added that he was impressed by the learning passion of youth from Mozambique who have returned to their country for work after finishing vocational education in China.

"Youth is future of a nation and skills are foundation for development. I hope that the two countries can expand the educational cooperation in the future and achieve more fruitful results in vocational education to let more young people fulfill their dreams through skills," he said.

Zhang Wanbo also contributed to the story.