An acceptance evaluation meeting for the Thailand Luban Workshop, the first practice of a vocational training program initiated by Tianjin, was held in the organizer's city on Oct 18. 

Guests take a group photo during the Thailand Luban Workshop Acceptance Evaluation Meeting in Tianjin on Oct 18. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Sponsored by the Tianjin-based Luban Workshop Research and Promotion Center, seven experts across the country were invited to conduct a comprehensive assessment in terms of management, effectiveness and experience, and characteristic results.

It was agreed that the Thailand Luban Workshop, with accurate development positioning and scientific construction planning, has opened a new model of "going global" for China standards, equipment and planning of vocational education.

The program has been highly affirmed by China's and Thailand's governments, and has exerted a huge influence in Southeast Asia and the international community. 

Guests attend the Thailand Luban Workshop Acceptance Evaluation Meeting in Tianjin on Oct 18.  [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Thailand's Luban Workshop built two centers – the Bohai Center and the Railway Center, with the help of Tianjin Bohai Vocational Technical College and Tianjin Railway Technical and Vocational College. In the past five years, 1,125 people have taken classes at the centers and more than 8,000 college students from ASEAN countries have come to do exchanges and receive training.

Notably, nine people won medals in their motherland's national skill competitions. In 2019, a student won a championship during the first "Crown Jewel" International Skills Competition.

A teacher (L) from the Thailand Luban Workshop teaches EMU maintenance to a student. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Tianjin companies have reached sales orders worth nearly 40 million yuan ($6.22 million), with more than ten Thai companies, serving the Belt and Road Initiative, feeding back into Tianjin's economic development and injecting strong and long lasting vitality into the Luban Workshop. 

Certificates from Thailand Luban Workshop's professional accreditation [Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the last five years, the workshop has expanded from 232 square meters to 2,000 square meters, adding 11 teaching practice areas and five majors. At present, all six majors established by Tianjin Bohai Vocational and Technical College and Tianjin Railway Technical and Vocational College are included in the national education system of Thailand. 

Students learn valuable skills in their classes. [Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The program has benefited China-Thailand exchanges in vocational education. Up to 100 percent of front-line foreign teachers in the Thailand Luban workshop believe that the personnel training goals, course content and teaching methods can meet the needs of both individuals, as well as society.

The graduates' overall satisfaction ratio has reached 100 percent. Over 95 percent of them were satisfied with their humanistic exchange experience.

In addition, over 92 percent of Chinese teachers believe that the Luban Workshop has had a good effect on Tianjin schools' teaching quality, and all of the teachers agreed that it has improved the school's capabilities to cultivate international technical talents.

L: International students from the Thailand Luban Workshop celebrate Songkran festival. R: International students from the Thailand Luban Workshop have a sports meet.  [Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"We will further expand contents and improve standards to achieve high-quality and sustainable development of Luban Workshop," said Bai Haili, deputy director of the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission.