The Côte d'Ivoire Luban Workshop, jointly established by Tianjin University of Technology (TUT) and the esteemed Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB) in Yamoussoukro, represents Tianjin's first collaboration with a comprehensive university to establish a Luban Workshop.

As a leading institution of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Côte d'Ivoire, INP-HB is recognized for its excellence in foundational, continuing and vocational education. The Luban Workshop builds upon this foundation, offering specialized programs in mechanical engineering as well as electrical engineering and automation.

The workshop's curriculum is seamlessly integrated into INP-HB's undergraduate and graduate programs, targeting third- and fourth-year undergraduates as well as second- and third-year postgraduates. Spanning four semesters, the progressive system combines foundational experiments with advanced practical training, creating a structured pathway for students, faculty, and corporate trainees to transition from basic skills to comprehensive expertise.

Leveraging TUT's academic strengths, the workshop employs a multi-tiered educational model encompassing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees alongside vocational training. This approach ensures a steady pipeline of highly skilled professionals equipped with cutting-edge technical expertise.

The workshop is fully embedded in INP-HB's elite education framework, granting unified bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees alongside engineering certifications. This dual-certification system enhances the employability of graduates and strengthens the institutional reputations of both TUT and INP-HB.

The partnership extends beyond education, fostering research collaboration through an incubation platform. Utilizing advanced training equipment for automated irrigation, the center is developing a smart agricultural monitoring system designed to detect crop diseases and monitor growth patterns. This initiative has been approved as a "Belt and Road" joint laboratory project by Tianjin's Science and Technology Bureau, further reinforcing its global significance.

In terms of industry-academic collaboration, the workshop addresses local development needs through tailored initiatives. A recent memorandum of understanding with Guilin Pharmaceutical Co focuses on training technical talent for an artemisinin-based anti-malarial drug manufacturing project set to commence in Abidjan by 2025. This partnership aims to localize management and technical expertise, with measurable outcomes anticipated within two to three years.

In March, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Adama Diawara accompanied university presidents from across the country to visit the Luban Workshop. He commended the collaboration's remarkable achievements, emphasizing that the project aligns with African nations' priorities in education, employment, and technological innovation. He also highlighted its role in providing critical momentum for engineering and technical education for Côte d'Ivoire's youth.

The Côte d'Ivoire Luban Workshop exemplifies the transformative potential of international academic and industrial collaboration. By integrating academic rigor, practical training, and innovative research, it is setting a benchmark for sustainable talent development and technological progress in the region while fostering global education and innovation.