Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Mr. Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, led a high-level delegation to China to advance cooperation in vocational education, technical training, youth development, and emerging technologies under the broader framework of Pakistan-China collaboration on skills development and economic partnership.
During the visit, the delegation visited Guangdong Open University (Guangdong Polytechnic Institute), where they were warmly received by President Liu Wenqing, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice President Song Bo, and other senior officials. Both sides held discussions to review progress on vocational education cooperation projects agreed during Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China. The engagement provided a productive platform to strengthen bilateral collaboration and accelerate implementation of ongoing initiatives in skills development and educational exchange.
Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan participated in the China-Pakistan Youth Vocational Education Symposium, where Vice President Song Bo delivered welcome remarks on behalf of the university. In his address, the Chairman outlined the vision and objectives of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, emphasizing youth empowerment through vocational training, technical education, and digital skills development. He appreciated Guangdong Open University’s contributions to lifelong learning and education innovation and acknowledged the role of Tangfeng International Education Group in supporting PMYP initiatives in China. He also announced the China Secretariat of the PMYP will be established at the Beijing headquarters of Tangfeng International Education Group to enhance coordination between Pakistani and Chinese institutions in skills development and youth employment.
of the Prime Minister's Youth Training Programme had been formally established at the Beijing headquarters of Tangfeng International Education Group.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with China in vocational and technical education, the Chairman highlighted that such collaboration would create new opportunities for Pakistani youth and further deepen economic linkages between the two countries. As a major milestone of the visit, he jointly unveiled the plaque of the Pakistan National Vocational Education Teachers Training Base, marking a significant step forward in institutional cooperation. The initiative aims to enhance teacher training, improve technical education standards, and expand employment pathways for young people through strengthened academic and institutional linkages between Pakistan and China.
Following the inauguration, the delegation engaged in academic and cultural exchange activities with students from the School of Engineering Technology and the International College. Students shared their academic achievements, professional aspirations, and future goals. The Chairman appreciated the university’s high standards of education and commended the students for their confidence, professionalism, and technical capabilities. The session concluded with a traditional musical performance and the presentation of handcrafted gifts prepared by students using their technical skills, reflecting creativity, cultural expression, and mutual understanding.
The delegation subsequently toured advanced training laboratories of the School of Engineering Technology, where faculty members demonstrated modern industrial systems, technical equipment, and applied learning methodologies. The visit highlighted the university’s emphasis on practical vocational education and innovation-driven skill development. These engagements further strengthened cooperation in technical education, youth capacity building, and employability enhancement through exposure to advanced training models and international academic exchange.
The PMYP China Training Base exchange programme concluded with a shared commitment to advancing implementation of education cooperation projects discussed during previous Pakistan-China meetings. Through initiatives including the establishment of the Pakistan National Vocational Education Teachers Training Base, youth engagement activities, and practical training collaboration, both sides reaffirmed their resolve to move from framework agreements to concrete implementation. They also reiterated cooperation in joint technical and vocational training, sharing of educational resources, and two-way talent exchanges to empower youth and strengthen the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
In a separate engagement, the PMYP delegation visited Beijing Guangda Boye Technology Development Co., Ltd., where they were received by Chairman Lu Tao, Plant Director Deng Xihua, Deputy Plant Director Guo Ku, and senior management officials. The delegation toured manufacturing facilities, assembly workshops, and exhibition areas showcasing new energy vehicle (NEV) training equipment. Company experts briefed the delegation on research and development processes, production systems, and the educational applications of advanced training technologies.
During discussions, both sides focused on industry-academia integration, school-enterprise cooperation, development of standards for NEV training equipment, and capacity building of technical teaching staff. Special emphasis was placed on developing a skilled workforce for Pakistan’s emerging new energy vehicle sector and introducing short-term technical training programmes aligned with industry needs. Both sides expressed a shared interest in establishing a collaborative platform under the PMYP framework, in partnership with Tangfeng International Education Group, to facilitate transfer of advanced educational resources and industrial technology to Pakistan.
The visit to Beijing Guangda Boye Technology Development Co., Ltd. marked an important step in expanding cooperation in emerging technologies, industrial innovation, and technical education. During detailed discussions, both sides explored opportunities for collaboration in the development of specialized training programmes for new energy vehicles (NEVs), the transfer of advanced educational technologies, and the establishment of industry-linked skills development frameworks tailored to Pakistan’s emerging economic sectors. Company representatives shared insights into China’s successful experience in integrating vocational education with industrial needs, particularly in the rapidly growing NEV industry, which has become a key driver of technological advancement and sustainable economic growth.
Both sides reached a preliminary consensus to work together on adapting Chinese NEV training models, introducing modern training equipment, integrating industry standards into technical curricula, strengthening teacher training systems, and enhancing industry-academia cooperation. Discussions also focused on developing localized training solutions that would equip Pakistani youth with practical skills in electric vehicle maintenance, battery technology, intelligent manufacturing systems, and related technical fields. The proposed collaboration aims to support the establishment of training centres, facilitate knowledge exchange between experts and educators, and create pathways for certification and professional development aligned with international standards.
The delegation emphasized that Pakistan’s growing focus on green technologies, sustainable transportation, and industrial modernization presents significant opportunities for cooperation with Chinese institutions and enterprises. By leveraging China’s expertise in vocational education and new energy technologies, the partnership seeks to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of future industries while enhancing employment prospects for young Pakistanis. These initiatives are expected to contribute significantly to workforce development, industrial modernization, technology transfer, and long-term educational and economic collaboration between Pakistan and China.
The visit concluded with meaningful progress in vocational education cooperation, youth skill development, and emerging technology partnerships, reflecting a shared commitment to equipping young people with globally competitive skills and strengthening the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and China.
