In the clear morning light of Jiangxingyuan Building, the 10-day study tour by Singapore Institute of Technical Education (ITE) delegation officially kicked off at Shanghai Donghai College (SDC) in early June. The first day unfolded with a well-rounded itinerary: a national conditions class offering a panoramic view of China, hands-on visits to training facilities to experience vocational craftsmanship, an ice-breaking gala connecting hearts through art, and an encounter with the millennium-old Song brocade craft. Blending knowledge with warmth and turning first encounters into growing familiarity, ITE students completed their first warm embrace of SDC’s campus and Shanghai’s iconic Haipai culture through an immersive experience.
Understanding China in One Session
At 9:20 a.m., the Overview of China course began in Conference Room B305, Jiangxingyuan Building, delivered by Ms. Zhang Mengting from the School of Marxism. From the vast territory of China and the diverse coexistence of 56 ethnic groups, to infrastructure marvels of the sprawling high-speed railway network and the dynamic pulse of Shanghai as an international metropolis, Ms. Zhang wove historical heritage and modern vibrancy into a vivid narrative, unfolding a multi-dimensional picture of China for the students.
Throughout the session, students followed the lecture with keen attention. From cultural foundations to urban characteristics, from scientific breakthroughs to daily life, the faraway eastern country evolved from an abstract concept into a vivid, tangible reality in just one class hour, planting the first seed of cultural understanding for the entire study tour.
Exploring Vocational Excellence in Training Facilities
After the class, the delegation followed the thread of professional disciplines, visiting the School of Information Engineering and the School of Media successively to tour training facilities and gain first-hand insight into SDC’s vocational education features and industry-education integration achievements.
In the Big Data Center Training Room of the School of Information Engineering, flickering data streams on screens and precisely arranged training equipment immediately caught everyone’s attention. Mr. Zang Gongjin elaborated on the facility’s functional positioning, technical strengths and teaching application scenarios, breaking down the practical appeal of digital technology down to every detail. The students stopped to observe, gaining an intuitive and in-depth understanding of SDC’s digital technology training infrastructure.
Next, the delegation stepped into the creative hub of the School of Media, embarking on a visit where digital technology intersects with cultural inheritance. At the Media Studio, Dean Zuo Tiantian extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests and gave a comprehensive introduction to the studio’s operation model, talent cultivation approach and project outcomes, bringing the philosophy of industry-education integration to life.
Moving to the Converged Media Center, a warm-up video and the ICH-themed documentary The Way of Ink and Inkstone, both created by SDC students, were screened one after another. Mr. Tan Xin, Program Director of the Broadcasting and Television Program Production major, analyzed the creative concepts and cultural reflections behind the works. The AIGC-generated animations showcased on site further sparked creative inspiration from the collision of digital technology and traditional culture, earning repeated admiration from the students.
At the Digital Human Studio, director Tang Jing unveiled the technical veil behind virtual digital humans, presenting the cutting-edge exploration of the media program from industry application scenarios to on-campus training projects. Walking, watching and asking questions along the way, the Singaporean students truly felt the vitality and craftsmanship of vocational education in this creative and technology-integrated training space.
Bonding Through Performances and Handicrafts
In the warm afternoon atmosphere of Donghaiyuan Building, the China-Singapore Ice-breaking Gala kicked off in a relaxed vibe, hosted by Chen Jianming, a student from Class 32408 of the Accounting major. With youth and art bringing both sides together, teachers and students from China and Singapore took the stage one after another, using art as a bridge to narrow the distance between hearts.
SDC students started the performances with heartfelt talent shows: Wang Lulu from Class 12502 of the Civil Aviation major and Zhu Keyu from Class 22502 of the Art major sang Anonymous Friend, with gentle melodies flowing through the room. Bupatimai Halike from Class 12502 of the Preschool Education major and Gulijianaiti Aili from Class 12502 of the New Energy major performed the ethnic dance ACHILP KITIPSEN YAR(Beaming with Smiles) in traditional costumes, their vivid dance moves brimming with ethnic charm. Zhu Haiyang from Class 2402 of the Computer Technology major performed the classic At Least I Have You, its familiar melody prompting soft sing-alongs across the venue. Students of the Singapore study tour delivered a joint chorus of Home, their warm, mellifluous harmonies flowing gently to forge a resonance transcending mountains and seas through the medium of music.
In a delightful surprise, Mr. Low Hua Chong, lecturer from Singapore ITE, also took the stage to perform the Chinese song Apple Fragrance. His impeccable pronunciation and soulful delivery pushed the atmosphere to a climax, with thunderous applause lingering long after the song ended.
After the performances, the intangible cultural heritage Song brocade pendant handicraft session continued the warm vibe. Guided by Liu Yinuo, head of the ICH Handicraft Studio at the School of Media, students picked up fabrics and components, cut patterns, glued and shaped the pieces, and assembled the pendants with accessories. With every cut and paste, they felt the exquisite craftsmanship of Song brocade spanning a thousand years.
Elegant, classic brocade patterns took shape slowly in the palm of their hands. The millennium-old intangible heritage was no longer just words in books, but a tangible, warm cultural experience. Everyone focused on their creations while chatting softly, quietly weaving the goodwill of cross-border friendship into each tiny pendant.
Delicate refreshments prepared on site added to the relaxed atmosphere. Teachers and students from both sides sat together, talking about campus life, cultural differences and travel stories, with laughter rising one after another. Initial awkwardness gradually faded, and friendship grew quietly through casual conversations. At the end of the event, all teachers and students posed for a group photo, preserving the vibrancy and warmth of the first day in the frame.
As the sun set, the first day of the study tour concluded successfully in a joyful and relaxed atmosphere. A lesson on China opened a window into the country; a tour of training facilities showcased the essence of vocational craftsmanship; a get-together sowed the seeds of cross-border friendship.
This marks a warm opening for China-Singapore vocational education exchange, and a beautiful starting point for the encounter between young people from both countries. In the days ahead, cutting-edge professional courses, visits to leading enterprises and rich urban cultural experiences will unfold one by one. More exciting moments await — stay tuned!
（Correspondent: Liu Yichen，translator: Liu Yichen)
