ASEAN-China Education Cooperation Week: A Leap Forward in Training and Scientific Research

On August 29, in Guiyang City, the capital of Guizhou Province, China, the opening ceremony of the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week took place under the theme “New Prospects in Educational Cooperation.” The event, co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the People's Government of Guizhou Province, ran for six days from August 28 to September 2, drawing hundreds of participants, including government officials, educational leaders, diplomatic representatives, youth delegates, and experts from both ASEAN countries and China.

Throughout the week, a series of events unfolded, with a total of 122 activities aimed at promoting exchange and collaboration in the field of education and training between ASEAN nations and China. At the ASEAN-China Digital Education Forum, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, emphasized the importance of educational transformation, highlighting that it is essential to equip the younger generation with the skills and mental stability to face current and future challenges.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc also suggested that the development of teaching and learning policies in the new context requires a comprehensive approach, including the advancement of new learning models, the application of modern technologies, and the development of open educational resources. He stressed the importance of close cooperation between ministries, sectors, and the private sector to ensure fairness in access to educational opportunities for all groups, particularly vulnerable ones.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Phuc further shared that Vietnam is prioritizing digital transformation in education, having approved the project "Enhancing the Application of Information Technology and Digital Transformation in Education and Training for the Period 2022-2025, with Orientation Towards 2030." This project outlines clear targets for online education access, aiming for 50% of students, teachers, and learners to have the necessary conditions to effectively participate in online teaching and learning activities by 2025.

In an interview with a reporter from Nhân Dân Newspaper, Professor Zhou Shaoqi, Vice President of Guizhou University, expressed optimism about the potential for educational cooperation between Chinese institutions and those from Vietnam and ASEAN countries. He highlighted key areas of potential collaboration, such as student and faculty exchanges, and scientific research projects in agriculture, environmental protection, and new energy.

At the conferences and forums held throughout the week, delegates delved into the practical direction for cooperation in digital education, partnerships between universities and vocational training institutions, as well as the development of the tourism industry and cultural exchanges among youth.

During the Education Week, five research centers are expected to be launched, along with the establishment of 12 cooperation organizations and centers in education and science-technology, and 17 outcomes from joint research projects. Additionally, over 50 cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding are set to be signed between educational institutions from ASEAN countries and China, opening new opportunities for educational development in the region.