The South China Morning Post reported that over 21 Luban Workshops have been set up in 20 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa, although being little known in the West.
The workshops are named after Lu Ban (507-444 BC), who is regarded as the father of carpentry in China. They are established by Tianjin-based vocational colleges in collaboration with educational institutions in host countries to further raise the competence and professional knowledge of local people.
Chinese vocational colleges are responsible for the supply of concrete equipment and technology and for design the curriculum in accordance with the wishes and proposals of local educational institutions. Chinese experts have also been invited to give classes in these overseas Luban Workshop facilities.
According to the segment, Song Seng Wun, an economist with investment bank CIMB in Singapore, said that the governments and politicians of many countries and regions haven't yet paid attention to the vital role played by the Luban Workshop program in promoting employment in host countries and enhancing the technical competence of local citizens.
With the support of Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College, the Pakistan Luban Workshop in Lahore, Punjab, has opened a course on industrial automation and robots.
Mamoon Jaffar Tarrar, chairperson of Punjab's Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, said that the Pakistan Luban Workshop has become an important platform for the country to deepen its international cooperation and exchanges and in fostering high-caliber talents.
Lucy Irungu, vice-chancellor of Machakos University in Kenya, said that the Luban Workshop facility has provided local students with opportunities to embrace world-class and innovation-driven cloud computing course since its establishment in 2019.
Joe Mucheru, cabinet secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of Information Communication Technology, hailed the tremendous contributions made by the Kenya Luban Workshop in advancing cooperation in digital space. He noted that the vocational facility is of vital importance for the country to engage in technical training on cloud computing and information security.
In addition, the Luban Workshops have been deeply involved in the building of specific projects related to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Students in the Djibouti Luban Workshop - the first Luban workshop in Africa - have received training on railway operation and management, railway-related engineering technology, commerce and logistics. They are expected to work for the Chinese-built Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway upon graduation.
To date, over 3,000 students worldwide have acquired diplomas from Luban Workshop facilities and about 12,000 foreign students are receiving vocational education in relevant workshops.