Bridging Vocational Education and Writing a New Chapter of Youthful Excellence in the SCO

Luban Workshop Innovation and Development Conference and "Gen Z" Youth Summer Camp Held in Tianjin

BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from China Daily: 

The Luban Workshop Innovation and Development Conference and "Gen Z" Youth Summer Camp was held in Tianjin on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This event brought together representatives from Tianjin-based universities, tech companies, media organizations, vocational education institutions and industries, as well as international students from Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Egypt and other countries participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on such topics as enhancing the quality and upgrading of Luban Workshops, promoting cross-border exchanges among SCO youth, and advancing the internationalization of vocational education. Leveraging technology as a bridge and youth as a driving force, the event sought to promote mutual learning among civilizations and strengthen collaboration between industry and education among China and SCO countries.

Kang Ning, Secretary of the CPC Party Committee of Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College, delivered a welcome address at the event, highlighting the college's role as a key platform for talent development through Luban Workshops. He introduced the college's achievements in cultivating internationally skilled professionals, providing cross-border practical training, and facilitating study and exchange programs for Chinese and international students across multiple countries. Zhao Xiang, Deputy Director of the Education Channel of Tianjin Haihe Media Center, said the channel will leverage its integrated media capabilities to connect universities and colleges to technology and innovation companies, while continuing to organize international youth exchange programs and share compelling stories of vocational education in Tianjin.

The discussion sessions were packed with practical insights. Zhang Ying, Director of the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation at Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College, shared practical approaches to internationalized teaching through Luban Workshops, tiered training for international students, and the implementation of cross-border practical training programs. Song Lihong, Chairwoman of Tianjin Qicheng Science & Technology Co., Ltd., shared practical and actionable solutions based on industry-education integration.

International student representatives from various countries shared their learning experiences and personal reflections. They expressed that Luban Workshops have provided overseas students with a valuable platform to learn Chinese technologies and experience Chinese culture, and that they are willing to serve as ambassadors for international exchanges.

Following the seminar, international student representatives shared heartfelt messages, expressing their affection for Tianjin, their second home, and their hopes for the future. Together, they released the SCO Gen Z Youth Exchange Initiative, bringing together the youthful energy of young people from different countries to advance cooperation and shared progress.

The event also featured a variety of cultural experience activities. The cultural performance created a warm and inspiring atmosphere, where Chinese and international young people used art as a medium and music as a bridge to express their emotions. Through light, music and performances, they transcended geographical and linguistic barriers, showcasing the vibrant and positive spirit of young people from China and other countries in the new era. A diverse range of performances, including instrumental music, songs and recitations, were presented. Among them, Pakistani international student Mushan performed the Chinese song "Friends", with her melodious voice blending Eastern aesthetics with the spirit of friendship shared by people around the world. Her solo performance of  "It's Me, and It's Us" further conveyed the shared aspirations of SCO youth to grow together, support one another and move forward hand in hand.

Beyond the wonderful cultural performances, the series of activities also created diverse platforms for exchanges. International students visited Tianjin Clock and Watch Restoration Exhibition Hall, Yangliuqing Woodblock New Year Paintings Museum, and Tianjin Darentang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum for study tours and cultural exchanges. They stopped to admire intangible cultural heritage exhibits, listened to the stories of inheritance behind traditional craftsmanship, and immersed themselves in the charm of Chinese traditional arts and crafts as well as the spirit of craftsmanship, gaining a closer appreciation of the profound heritage and enduring legacy of China's intangible cultural heritage.

The event brought together educational institutions, enterprises and media organizations to present Generation Z with a youthful story featuring Tianjin's unique charm, friendship and solidarity. It further strengthened the full-chain development of Luban Workshops in teaching, practical training and communication, expanded the scope of cooperation among SCO countries in people-to-people exchanges and vocational education, and brought fresh vitality and momentum to exchanges and mutual learning within the SCO family.

SOURCE China Daily