From December 7th to 9th, 2023, the first World Chinese Language Conference was held in Beijing. Entrusted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education, Shandong Polytechnic College undertook the "Chinese Bridge" Project for Chinese-Thai Language and Vocational Education College Educators Delegation to Visit China from December 6th to 13th. It invited 15 people including officials from the Vocational Education Commission of the Ministry of Education of Thailand and presidents of Thai vocational colleges such as Chonburi Technical College to participate in the World Chinese Language Conference and a series of activities of the "Chinese Bridge" group exchange project.
This "Chinese Bridge" group exchange project was carried out in two stages. From December 6th to 9th, the Thai delegation to China participated in the Global Chinese Language Alliance Conference and the Launch Ceremony of the Language Exhibition, as well as the Forum on the Integrated Development of "Chinese Language + Vocational Skills". They visited the Language Exhibition of the World Chinese Language Conference and gained an in-depth understanding of the current situation of international Chinese language education and the development of "Chinese Language + Vocational Skills" education. During their stay in Beijing, Shandong Polytechnic College also organized the delegation to visit the Palace Museum and Juyongguan Great Wall and carried out a series of visiting activities to deepen their understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
From December 10th to 13th, the Thai delegation to China came to Jining, Shandong to participate in activities. At the Opening Ceremony of the "Chinese Bridge" Project for Chinese-Thai Language and Vocational Education College Educators Delegation to Visit China and the Signing Ceremony of Luban-Mozi College, Thailand and Shandong Polytechnic College, the school leaders extended a warm welcome and sincere greetings to the Thai guests who had traveled from afar. They also expressed their willingness to make positive contributions together with all parties to China-Thailand cultural exchanges, educational cooperation, and the bridging of the hearts of the people of the two countries.
During the event, a seminar on professional construction and talent exchange was held. The Academic Affairs Office of Shandong Polytechnic College and the persons in charge of relevant majors introduced to the Thai delegation to China the current development situation of vocational education in China, as well as the talent cultivation and professional construction of our college. The delegation fully affirmed the talent cultivation mode of our college and all expressed their willingness to establish in-depth cooperative relations with our college in the future.
The delegation to China investigated Shandong Shenli Rigging Co., Ltd. located in the Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park of Jining City, and participated in the industry-university-research exchange symposium. They had exchanges with the staff of Shandong Shenli Rigging Co., Ltd. and the persons in charge of relevant majors of our college on promoting the deep integration of industry, university and research, and further understood the talent needs of Chinese enterprises.
Shandong Polytechnic College also organized the delegation to China to visit the Sino-Foreign Humanistic Exchange Base for Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Confucius Temple in Qufu, the Confucius Family Mansion, the Chinese Teachers' Museum, and the Zhongdu Folklore Museum in Lianhua Lake Wetland, so as to further experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture such as Chinese intangible cultural heritage, Confucian culture, and folk culture.
It has been reported that in order to promote the integrated development of international Chinese language education and vocational education, since 2021, Shandong Polytechnic College has undertaken the "Chinese Bridge" online group exchange project for three consecutive years. It is one of the first higher vocational colleges in China to undertake this project. A total of 635 international students from 26 countries including Thailand, Russia, Brazil, and Pakistan have been organized to participate. In 2021, Shandong Polytechnic College cooperated with Chonburi Technical College in Thailand to build a Chinese Language Workshop at Chonburi Technical College, which has now become an important part of the Chinese-Thai language and vocational education college. The "Chinese Bridge" project for Chinese-Thai language and vocational education college educators delegation to visit China has further enhanced the delegation's understanding of Chinese language and culture, increased their enthusiasm for learning about Chinese language and culture, strengthened the exchanges and cooperation in Chinese-Thai language and vocational education, and contributed wisdom and strength to serving the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting the going global of vocational education with Chinese characteristics, and facilitating the connection of the hearts of the people of China and Thailand.
