On November 19, 2021 Annual Conference of the International Exchange and Cooperation Committee of the Shaanxi Society of Technical and Vocational Education (SSTVE) was successfully held online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Themed in "Deepening the Conserved Development of Vocational Education by Diversified Integration and Multiple Measures", the conference, which was organized by Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics, aimed to summarize experience and discuss strategies of the internationalization of higher vocational education in the era of COVID-19 epidemic.
The conference was attended by Wen Tong, Director of Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Education Department of Shaanxi Provincial Government, Professor Yang Weijun, Chairman of the International Exchange and Cooperation Committee of SSTVE and President of Xianyang Vocational College, Professor Wu Xujin, Vice Chairwoman of the committee and Vice President of Xianyang Vocational College, as well as committee members from over 30 vocational colleges province-wide. It was co-hosted by Wang Yong, Vice President of Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics, and Wei Wenping, Secretary General of the committee and Director of Office of International Exchange and Cooperation of Xianyang Vocational and Technical College.
During his speech, Wen Tong stated that Shaanxi is facing great opportunities in the internationalization of higher vocational education. Wen also required vocational colleges to stay on the right track of education and improve the internationalization of running school and faculty with advanced consciousness. Wen concluded his speech by encouraging vocational colleges to promote Chinese-foreign joint education programs, overseas education and the construction of double qualified and bilingual teachers in order to form the power of branding with unique characteristics.
On behalf of the committee, Yang Weijun extended warm welcome to the leaders of the provincial Department of Education, colleges and institutes. Yang said that the annual meeting provided a new opportunity for the international exchange and cooperation of higher vocational colleges in Shaanxi. As the chairman, Yang hoped that all committee members would enhance communication, deepen cooperation, and explore new approaches of promoting the internationalization of vocational education in Shaanxi, especially under the unforeseen circumstance of COVID-19. To break new ground, Vocational colleges should, Yang suggested, implement the spirit of Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Modern Vocational Education and develop new models of "Chinese + Vocational Skills".
Representatives of Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics and Shaanxi Railway Institute delivered keynote speeches sharing their practices and experiences in promoting internationalization and running joint education programs. Representatives of ChinesePlus and Daegu University ( South Korea) shared their possible cooperative programs.
This year 3 new deputy chairmen and 2 new members were admitted to the committee. The conference also issued them letters of appointment.