On March 31 to April 1, 2014, organized by the ASEAN-China Centre, a delegation of Chinese Vocational Colleges paid a working visit to Singapore, after the two fruitful workshops held in Jakarta and Denpasar, Indonesia.
The 20 representatives from 10 Chinese Vocational Colleges visited Republic Polytechnic(RP), Institute of Technology Education(ITE) and Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre(SHATEC), respectively the representative institutions of public tertiary vocational education, public secondary vocational education, and private vocational education in Singapore.
On March 31, the delegation visited Republic Polytechnic and ITE Headquarters. Republic Polytechnic is one of the five public polytechnics of Singapore, providing high-quality tertiary vocational education for graduates from Middle schools. The delegation was warmly received and briefed on the system of education in Singapore, and the development and vision of Republic Polytechnic by Mr Long Tiankian, Director of International Department. The Chinese delegation discussed about the features and specialties of public polytechnic in Singapore, and explored possibilities of cooperating with RP in students exchange and joint programmes. The delegation also visited the library, laboratories, sports complex, etc. to have a further understanding of RP.
ITE was founded by Ministry of Education Singapore in 1992, aiming to provide vocational education for graduates from Middle schools. In recent years, ITE has guaranteed 100% employment for its graduates. In ITE Headquarters, the Chinese delegation was met by Mr. Tan Senghua, Director of ITE, Dr. Ang Kiamwee, Director of ITE Middle-District Campus. Mr. Tan Senghua introduced the mission of ITE, and the progress made by ITE in training skillful workforce for Singapore. He also expressed his wishes to cooperate with Chinese vocational colleges via the platform of ASEAN-China Centre. The head of the Chinese delegation, Mr. Ji Wenlin, the Chair of College Council of Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, introduced the development of Chinese vocational education, and expressed the wishes of starting practical cooperation with ITE in programmes of mutual interests. The representative from ASEAN-China Centre welcomed ITE to cooperate with Chinese colleges, expressing that ASEAN-China Centre would like to act as a bridge linking up the two sides. Views were also exchanged on teaching methodology, cooperation with enterprises, initiatives in intercollegiate cooperation, and other issues. Later the delegates were shown around the campus, and were deeply touched by the environment and teaching facilities.
On the morning of April 1, the delegation visited Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre (SHATEC), a private training college that awards diplomas. The delegation were briefed on the development of SHATEC, which is regarded as Asia’s best school in hotel and tourism. Many delegates were interested in the training programme designed for teaching staff. The possibilities of further cooperation were discussed.
These activities are part of the second group of Chinese Vocational Colleges’ Trip to ASEAN, organized by ASEAN-China Centre, and also one of the warming-up activities of the 7th China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW), which will be held in September this year, in Guizhou Province.