Shanghai Donghai Vocational and Technical College takes building a community of shared future for mankind as its leading role, and aims to innovate the mechanism of international exchanges and cooperation creates a platform for international cooperation in vocational education and an international brand of vocational education, according to Opinions on Deepening the Reform of Building a Modern Vocational Education System issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council and Ten Measures on Promoting High-Quality Development of Higher Vocational Education in Shanghai issued by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission. Therefore, it endeavors to implement the integration between industry and education, serves the construction and development of Zizhu Hi-Tech Park, Minhang Development Zone, Xinzhuang Industrial Zone, and the Great Bay Zero Science and Technology Innovation Functional Area based on regional advantages, development strategies, pillar industries and talent needs, establishes a number of professional standards and curriculum standards with international influence, and cultivates internationalized talents and local technical and skilled talents urgently needed by Chinese enterprises to enhance the influence of China’s vocational education.
On August 23, 2024, Shanghai Donghai Vocational and Technical College signed a letter of intent to cooperate with South African-Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Center and Yalong Intelligent Equipment Group Co., LTD., and jointly founded South African - Shanghai Donghai Vocational and Technical College’s Silk Road School. On September 13, Josephine Ann Singaram, Senior Executive of the South African Local Government Training Authority, and Maxine Melinda Werth, Office Director of China International Culture Exchange Center paid a visit to learn about the educational and teaching environment of Donghai Vocational and Technical College on the spot. On this basis, as the first landing program of South African - Shanghai Donghai Vocational and Technical College’s Silk Road School, Donghai College formally accepts the commission of South African-Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Center and hosts the cross-border e-commerce program in South Africa, and conducts a 6-month short-term study and training program for students from South African Vocational University. Donghai College attaches great importance to the program. President He Ying has concerned the preparatory work reports for many times, and Vice President Yan Yukang took charge of the program implementation. Moreover, Li Jing, Program Director of the International Exchange Office, and Cui Hongjun, Director of the International Business Department of the School of Economics and Management, are designated as the leader and deputy leader of the program team. Additionally, professional teachers with excellent business skills and English proficiency were selected by the School of Economics and Management to give lectures on various courses. Additionally, the Academic Affairs Office of Donghai College has given important advice on the teaching program, and the International Exchange Office of Donghai College is responsible for the coordination.
On September 30, 2024, the opening ceremony of the “Cross-Border E-Commerce” Program of South African - Shanghai Donghai Vocational and Technical College’s Silk Road School was held. Lu Jiacheng, Program General Manager of South African-Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Center, Fu Xiaoli, Program Manager, Yan Yukang, Vice President of Donghai College and dean of the School of Business and Management, Zhang Juyang, Assistant to the President and Director of Academic Affairs Office, and Meng Zhaoshang, Director of International Exchange Office, attended the meeting. Teachers from Ikhala Vocational and Technical College of South Africa, students of the course “Cross-Border E-Commerce” and teachers from the program team of Donghai College attended the ceremony. The ceremony was presided over by Lu Jiacheng, General Manager, Li Jing, Program Director of the International Exchange Office of Donghai College, served as the interpreter.
At the opening ceremony, Vice President Yan Yukang delivered the opening speech, expressing his great appreciation for the assistance and guidance provided by the South African-Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Center. On behalf of Shanghai Donghai Vocational and Technical College, he extended warm congratulations on the successful launch of the South African “Cross-border E-commerce” program and offered a hearty welcome to all South African trainees and tutors. Donghai College has been actively promoting cross-cultural exchanges and international educational cooperation. The core objective of the training program is to provide South African participants with a comprehensive understanding of the applications and development trends in cross-border e-commerce, enabling them to master key technologies and skills such as store design, short video production, live broadcasting marketing, and e-commerce operations, thereby enhancing their practical capabilities and innovative thinking in the field of cross-border e-commerce. Donghai College looks forward to deepening its collaboration with the South African-Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Center through the Silk Road School and sincerely hopes that all participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of Shanghai Donghai Vocational and Technical College, Shanghai, and China through this program.
In his speech, Lu Jiacheng, General Manager, expressed his heartfelt thanks to Donghai College for providing the six-month cross-border e-commerce training and teaching. He emphasized that this training is an extremely valuable opportunity for South African teachers and students, which will help them further master skills and improve their competitiveness in employment. He hoped to take this training as an opportunity to establish long-term communication and cooperation with Donghai College, provide more learning opportunities and broaden recruitment channels for South African youth, and help them get rid of poverty and realize their self-worth.
Then, the representatives of teachers and students from Ikhala Vocational and Technical College of South Africa made speeches respectively to express their deep gratitude to Donghai College. They noted that China has the world’s leading platform for e-commerce education, training and practice, and e-commerce is an efficient and flexible employment field for South African youth. It is believed that this training will have a positive effect on creating more job opportunities and improving the quality of life of the trainees and their families. The trainees will study the cross-border e-commerce course and strive to improve their dual skills in employment and entrepreneurship.
After the opening ceremony, school leaders and teachers of the program team convened a meeting to discuss on teaching arrangements and other related issues, and put forward clear requirements on teaching programs, division of labor among teachers, teaching standards, workload assessment and so on. (Correspondent: Li Jing)
