The 48th WorldSkills Competition recently concluded in Shanghai. Shi Huijing, a lecturer from School of Foreign Languages at SUES, served as a personal attaché at the event, providing professional interpreting, liaison and logistical support for WorldSkills board members. Her professionalism, strong communication skills and attention to detail earned high praise from distinguished international guests, including a handwritten letter of appreciation from Patrik Svensson, one of the WorldSkills International (WSI) directors.
Held in Shanghai for the first time in 2026, the grand event brought together nearly 1,400 competitors from 68 countries and regions to compete in 64 skills. It involved extensive multilingual communication and interaction across cultures, placing high demands on personal attachés. Selected on 17 August, Shi joined the competition organizing team and completed specialized training and on-the-spot surveys covering competition venues, hotels, transport routes and event locations. Her strong interpreting and intercultural communication skills subsequently led to her assignment to the WSI team, where she supported the WorldSkills President, CEO and seven Board Directors during their stay in Shanghai.
From 14 September, Shi served as the personal attaché to Patrik Svensson, a WorldSkills Board Director and Chair of the Competition Committee of the European Skills Organization. She provided consecutive interpreting and coordination support across a wide range of activities, from airport pickups and transport arrangements to meetings and major events. She also translated competition documents and impromptu remarks, ensuring accurate and efficient communication among different parties. At the opening and closing ceremonies, Shi closely followed the program and provided support for key proceedings, including speeches and award presentations. When schedules and arrangements changed at the last minute, she responded quickly, adapted her communication to different situations and coordinated with relevant parties to resolve issues efficiently. Her professionalism earned recognition from Svensson and WSI. On 29 September, when Shi saw Svensson off at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, he presented her with a handwritten letter of appreciation, thanking her for her dedication and thoughtful support throughout the competition.
Shi also played a key role in the “One School One Member” activities, coordinating the participation of WSI board members in activities held at seven schools. She helped connect the competition organizing team, participating schools and international delegations, providing interpreting support throughout the activities and helping international guests experience Chinese traditional culture while promoting exchanges between Chinese and international faculty members and students.
A CPC member and lecturer, Shi teaches College English Speaking and Integrated College English at SUES. Her WorldSkills experience proved to be an opportunity to apply her expertise in an international setting and bring first-hand experience of international liaison and communication into the classroom. “Language teaching is not only about developing language skills. It is also about building connections and friendships with people from different cultures. We need to keep enriching our knowledge and experience and help cultivate talent with a sense of patriotism and confidence.”
Her service at WorldSkills 2026 demonstrated how faculty members from School of Foreign Languages apply their expertise to major international events and contribute to broader priorities. The School encourages teachers to engage in international exchange and practical activities, bringing real-world experience back into the classroom to enrich teaching and strengthen talent development.
