SCO representatives explore China's Luban Workshop model in Tianjin

Representatives from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries visit the Luban Workshop Experience Center in Tianjin on July 7, 2025. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Representatives from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries visited the Luban Workshop Experience Center in Tianjin on Monday to discuss China's model for international vocational education as well as school-enterprise cooperation.

The Luban Workshop, spearheaded from Tianjin, is an international vocational education project that has established schools in more than 30 countries. It leverages the image of Luban as a master craftsman to connect Tianjin's vocational education with the world.

Eduard Eduardovich Poletayev, president of the World of Eurasia public foundation, lauded present and future collaborations with China during his visit to Tianjin Light Industry Vocational and Technical College. "China has provided many valuable experiences in vocational education, and the Luban Workshop is a great example."

Wang Baolong, dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering at the college, described his school's in-depth enterprise cooperation model covering the entire production process with real-world cases. "This breaks down the final barrier between academia and industry needs."

"We will use Luban Workshop as a platform to promote cooperation and connectivity between China and other countries, jointly develop industry standards, and share educational resources," Wang said.

"The cooperation between China and Egypt in vocational education over recent years has been very inspiring, especially with the innovative Luban Workshop," said Ibrahim Maher, an Egyptian student who studied CNC technology at the college for the past year. "In the future, I hope to introduce this teaching concept to Egypt to support the development of vocational education there."

Lu Ruotong contributed to this story.