Editor's note: Africa is benefiting from technical and vocational education and training programs initiated by China. Ten Luban Workshops were set to take place in Africa under an initiative launched by China in collaboration with African countries during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).These provide high-end professional and technical skills training to help students meet the requirements of the emerging global market.
The exterior of Luban workshop in South Africa [Photo provided to tianjin.chinadaily.com.cn/lubanws]
The interior of training arena of Additive Manufacturing Technology at South Africa Luban Workshop [Photo provided to tianjin.chinadaily.com.cn/lubanws]
The South Africa Luban Workshop was officially unveiled on Dec 16, 2019 at the Riston campus of Durban University of Technology (DUT). It is jointly built by Tianjin Vocational Institute, one of the top 10 vocational colleges of China, and DUT, South Africa's largest technical university.
In October 2019, the teachers of Durban University of Technology are having Additive Manufacturing Technology training at Tianjin Vocational Institute. [Photo provided to tianjin.chinadaily.com.cn/lubanws]
The workshop closely focuses on the local economic and social development and industrial structure adjustment in South Africa with two specialties of Additive Manufacturing Technology and Internet of Things Application Technology. It represents an approach of international vocational education cooperation between Chinese vocational schools and overseas partners featuring "demand-oriented, standards-guided, result-targeted, close-tied school cooperation and whole-process enterprises participation".
In October 2021, Tianjin Vocational Institute is providing online training on industrial IOT to Durban University of Technology team during Covid-19 Pandemic. [Photo provided to tianjin.chinadaily.com.cn/lubanws]
In December 2019, South Africa Luban Workshop is open to public for visiting. [Photo provided to tianjin.chinadaily.com.cn/lubanws]
In December 2019, the teacher from Tianjin Vocational Institute is instructing local students on IOT instrument operation at Durban University of Technology. [Photo provided to tianjin.chinadaily.com.cn/lubanws]
It aims to train local technical and skilled personnel familiar with additive manufacturing technology and internet of things application technology products and standards to provide technical services for economic and social development and industrial restructuring in South Africa.