China announced that it will build 10 Luban workshops in SCO countries within three years, which is an important step made by Tianjin's vocational education authority after that of building 10 Luban workshops in Africa, which was proposed in 2018.  

"At present, Tianjin has finished the tasks in India and Pakistan, and the construction of the Russia Luban workshop is in full swing," said Li Li, director of the vocational education division of the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission. He added that work in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is also under way.

The exterior view of the Luban Workshop Construction Experience Museum in Tianjin [Photo provided by Wechat account of lubanworkshop]

The Luban Workshop is a well-known brand of people-to-people bonds and cultural exchanges. It originated in North China's Tianjin to offer high-end technical skills training that can help college students meet the requirements of the emerging global market.

The Thailand Luban Workshop, which was the first of its kind overseas, was unveiled in March 2016. Subsequently, Tianjin mended its pace to establish workshops in United Kingdom, Indonesia, Cambodia, Portugal and other countries.

The Luban Workshop has established a school system that involves academic education and social training, containing secondary vocational education, higher vocational education, applied undergraduate to professional master's degrees.

In March 2019, the Djibouti Luban Workshop opened its doors to the public, which boosted exchanges and mutual learning between China and African countries in vocational education.

To date, Tianjin has built a dozen Luban Workshops in Africa. Based on the local economic situation, resources and industries, they offer 23 majors in seven categories, including additive manufacturing, new energy, mechatronics, railway operations, and traditional Chinese medicine.

"Tianjin is making efforts to ensure the Tajikistan Luban workshop will be put into use by the end of this year," Li said.