October 21-25, 2024– To further enhance international cooperation in vocational education and promote the implementation of the Belt and Road education initiative, a five-member delegation from Shaanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics conducted a working visit to Greece. The delegation was led by Gao Yufeng, Secretary of the College Party Committee, and included Mu Tiannan, Member of the Party Committee and Director of the Party Organization Department. The visit aimed to advance the Sino-Greek "Qinling Workshop" project, expand school-enterprise cooperation channels, establish new mechanisms for Sino-foreign vocational education collaboration, and create new platforms for cultivating international talents.
October 22, the delegation visited the University of Patras, a prestigious institution founded in 1964 with over 30,000 students, ranking third in Greece. The university maintains joint doctoral programs with more than ten high-level universities in France, Belgium, Slovakia, and other countries, and its Education program is ranked within the top 300 globally in the QS World University Rankings.The University of Patras demonstrated strong commitment to the partnership. The delegates were warmly received by Dr. Sotiria Antonopoulou, Head of the Department of Management Science and Technology at the School of Economics and Business, along with all doctoral supervisors in Management. They provided a comprehensive overview of the training model, dissertation requirements, academic progress, English courses, and the implementation of study plans for seven faculty members from Shaanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics pursuing doctoral degrees. The hosts spoke highly of the faculty's English proficiency, learning capabilities, and academic attitude, expressing a desire to deepen exchanges, particularly in aligning professional talent cultivation programs for mutual development.In response, Secretary Gao Yufeng sincerely thanked the University of Patras for its efforts and contributions. He briefed the hosts on the college's profile and recent achievements in international exchange, highlighting its role in preparing for Belt and Road and BRICS nations-related competitions. Secretary Gao affirmed the college's full support for the faculty's doctoral studies and requested continued rigorous guidance for them. He emphasized the bright prospects of the partnership and looked forward to a brilliant shared future through joint efforts.
The delegation also met with the seven doctoral candidates at the University of Patras, inquiring about their learning, living, and dietary conditions. Secretary Gao encouraged them to stay true to their original aspirations, keep their mission firmly in mind, and successfully complete their studies.
The faculty members expressed deep appreciation for the invaluable opportunity and the college's significant support, pledging to diligently study advanced international educational concepts and contribute to Shaanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics and China's education sector upon their return.
October 23, advancing Vocational Collaboration with Orison Vocational Training School.In the morning, the delegation visited Orison Vocational Training School in Kalamata, the city's first private vocational training college, renowned for its expertise in enhancing vocational education and workforce development.Since establishing strategic cooperation intent in 2022, the two institutions have undertaken effective initiatives, including the establishment of the Sino-Greek Qinling Workshop and its first Joint Management Committee meeting. Notably, three sets of professional talent cultivation standards developed by Shaanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics received the highest certification from the Greek authoritative evaluation body, TQUK, laying a solid foundation for deeper collaboration.
The Principal of Orison Vocational Training School, Mr. Fotis Bougas, warmly welcomed the delegation and highly praised the cooperative outcomes, especially the successful practice of the "Qinling Workshop" project. Both sides held in-depth discussions on further developing the Workshop, establishing an overseas campus of Shaanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics, and enhancing faculty and student exchanges. They explored jointly offering programs in Hotel Management and Digital Operation, Tourism Management, Chinese and Western Pastry Arts, and Artificial Intelligence Technology Applications. Secretary Gao emphasized, "The 'Qinling Workshop' serves not only as a bridge for Sino-Greek educational cooperation but also as a vital platform for enhancing vocational education quality and promoting school-enterprise collaboration." He expressed hope that this visit would further substantiate Sino-Greek vocational education cooperation. The delegation also toured the school's training facilities, including its culinary and 3D printing labs, and observed teaching activities. Both institutions reached a consensus to continue joint teaching and student exchanges, continuously enriching the "Qinling Workshop" initiative.
That afternoon, the delegation visited the Kalamata Grand Hotel. They were welcomed by Mr. Vasilis Papaefstathiou, Deputy Mayor of Kalamata, and other officials. Discussions centered on enterprise participation in the "Qinling Workshop," establishing school-enterprise partnerships, creating overseas internship and employment bases for students, providing "Chinese + Vocational Skills" training for hotel employees, and developing a "Dual-Qualified" teaching faculty.
This visit to Greece significantly deepened the college's cooperation with Greek universities and local enterprises, substantially advanced the international development of the "Qinling Workshop" project, and actively contributed to building the international education brand of Shaanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics. It also provided new opportunities to consolidate and expand the college's global network and enhance its internationalization level.
