A Flourishing Partnership Between China and Africa

African Students Embrace Vocational Education in Zhejiang

Zhejiang, known for its e-commerce expertise, is attracting African students seeking vocational education. This collaboration between China and Africa is growing.

Jinhua University of Vocational Technology welcomes Rwandan students starting in March 2024. They will study various majors, including e-commerce, and graduate by December 2025.

The university has refined its programs based on feedback from previous students. In April 2023, the first cohort of Rwandan students arrived to study electrical automation and e-commerce. They will graduate in December 2023.

The university plans to continue enrolling Rwandan students annually until 2029. Uwamahoro Alphonsine, a Rwandan student majoring in e-commerce, is passionate about her studies. She dreams of starting her own e-commerce business.

Zhejiang's e-commerce prowess attracts many African students like Alphonsine who aspire to launch online businesses. Other vocational schools are also collaborating with African countries to explore the overseas market for vocational education.

Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College established an African branch campus in Morocco in October 2022. Students will study in Morocco for two years before spending their final year in Yiwu.

Zhejiang has also initiated various projects to promote educational exchanges. Jinhua and Musanze, a city in Rwanda, have focused on training talent for key industries in African countries. They have implemented the "Chinese Language plus Vocational Skills" education program and conducted various skills training programs that have benefited over 30,000 people.

This cooperation in vocational education has not only facilitated the sharing of high-quality educational resources but has also fostered cultural exchanges, leading to Musanze becoming Jinhua's first national-level sister city.