On September 22, coinciding with the opening of the 48th WorldSkills Competition, the China–Australia Vocational Education Forum was successfully held at the SUES–Design Innovation Institute Shanghai (DIIS) Joint Innovation Center of SUES. Under the theme “Connecting Skills, Institutions, Industry and the Future”, the forum aimed to further deepen exchanges, mutual learning and practical cooperation between China and Australia in the field of vocational education. Nearly 100 representatives from governments, vocational institutions, industry enterprises and related organizations in both countries gathered to discuss opportunities and future development. The forum was hosted by SUES Vice President Xia Chunming.
At the opening ceremony, Yang Zhenfeng, Deputy Director-General of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, delivered the opening remarks, followed by a welcome speech from Professor Lou Yongqi, President of SUES. Yang Jin, Vice President of China Education Association for International Exchange, and Andrew Giles MP, Australia’s Minister of Skills and Training, also addressed the forum, sharing their visions for the future development of China–Australia vocational education cooperation.
In his speech, Yang Zhenfeng noted that Shanghai, as a national pilot demonstration region for vocational education reform, has continuously strengthened modern vocational education and actively promoted international cooperation in this field. Shanghai has maintained long-standing and extensive exchanges with Australia’s vocational education sector. Facing a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, he put forward three expectations: strengthening mutual learning and exchange of educational concepts and standards; focusing on industry–education integration to facilitate the implementation of cooperative projects; and expanding two-way channels to promote cultural exchange and talent mobility.
From the broader perspective of international educational cooperation, Yang Jin reviewed the successful experiences of friendly exchanges between Chinese and Australian education communities. He pointed out that China’s vocational education is entering a period of broad development opportunities. With the 48th WorldSkills Competition being held in Shanghai, he expressed the hope that both sides would take this opportunity to deepen dialogue and mutual learning in skills development, continue building on previous cooperation, and promote institutional exchange, standards alignment and joint talent cultivation, thereby establishing a framework for deeper China–Australia vocational education dialogue.
Andrew Giles MP stated that the forum represented a new step forward in China–Australia vocational education cooperation. He highlighted that both countries possess strengths in areas including advanced manufacturing, industry-oriented training, national qualification frameworks and quality assurance. Through mutual learning and collaboration, the two sides can achieve shared benefits. Australia looks forward to further strengthening vocational education cooperation with China and fostering closer connections among educational institutions, industries, teachers and students in both countries.
President Lou Yongqi introduced the SUES–DIIS Joint Innovation Center, the venue of the forum, as an example of how education can respond to the needs of the times. He shared SUES’ development philosophy of integrating “Engineering × Management × Design” as a 3-Wing interdisciplinary model. He emphasized that SUES will continue leveraging the WorldSkills China (Shanghai) Research Center to transform WorldSkills standards into high-quality educational resources. He also proposed three areas for future cooperation: jointly cultivating skilled professionals, jointly developing skills standards, and jointly building cooperation platforms.
The forum featured seven keynote presentations. Chinese experts interpreted national vocational education policies and development trends, shared practical experiences in international cooperation, and discussed pathways and achievements in industry–education integration. Australian experts introduced the structure, operation mechanisms and latest reform directions of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system. They shared insights into the operation of the mature TAFE system, pathways for cultivating WorldSkills competitors, international cooperation models in vocational education, and representative cases of collaboration between China and Australia. During the thematic discussion sessions, Chinese and Australian participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on topics including strengthening China–Australia vocational education cooperation and aligning skilled talent development with industrial needs. They agreed that cooperation among governments, educational institutions and enterprises is essential to achieving effective alignment between talent cultivation and industrial development.
At the closing ceremony, Yao Hongguang, Dean of School of Higher Vocational Education of SUES, delivered remarks on behalf of the Chinese side, summarizing the achievements of the forum and outlining future directions for China–Australia vocational education cooperation. Brendan O’Connor, Honorary Patron of the WorldSkills Australia Board, delivered the closing remarks, expressing Australia’s aspiration to work together with China to deepen cooperation in enhancing vocational education quality, jointly cultivating skilled talent and advancing collaboration in WorldSkills-related initiatives.
The successful hosting of the forum has established a high-quality platform for dialogue and cooperation between China and Australia in vocational education, expanded channels for bilateral exchange, and laid a solid foundation for deeper collaboration in the future. Following the forum, participants visited the SUES–DIIS Joint Innovation Center, where they explored the university’s commitment to engineering education and further strengthened mutual understanding and friendship through direct engagement.
