Liao Liqiang, Chinese ambassador to Egypt, and Mohammad Megahed, Egyptian vice-minister of education and technical education, jointly conducted an inspection tour of the Egypt Luban Workshop on July 4.

Liao Liqiang (L2), Chinese ambassador to Egypt, and Mohammad Megahed (R3), Egyptian vice-minister of education and technical education, jointly visit the Egypt Luban Workshop on July 4. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

Noting that China and Egypt are both ancient civilizations and that Chinese Luban (the ancestor of Chinese craftsmen) and Egyptian pyramids are leading representatives of the craftsmanship in two countries, Liao said that the two sides should fully leverage their own strengths in the cooperative development of vocational education. They should explore new modes of talent cultivation designed to promote the teaching of Chinese language and the development of the Luban Workshop initiative and further expand the employment opportunities of the Egyptian people in overseas Chinese enterprises.

Officials from the two sides pose for a group photo in the Egypt Luban Workshop on July 4. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

Megahed extended warm welcome to Liao for his visit to the Egypt Luban Workshop and gave an introduction to its "three plus two" education model, according to which trainees are expected to study basic courses in the first three years of their stay there and learn advanced professional technologies in the last two years.  He said that there is a wide range of cooperation between the two countries on vocational education and added that 12 primary and secondary Egyptian schools will open Chinese courses in a pilot scheme in this autumn semester.