A delegation representing Africa's vocational education sector and UNESCO, led by Souleymane Fall, Special Advisor to the President of Senegal, meets with representatives of Shanxi Construction Investment Group Co. [Photo/Shanxi news network] 

A delegation representing Africa's vocational education sector and UNESCO, led by Souleymane Fall, Special Advisor to the President of Senegal, recently visited North China's Shanxi province.

On Dec 10, the delegation participated in an international exchange event on vocational education organized by the Shanxi Department of Education at Shanxi Vocational University of Engineering Science and Technology. Preliminary cooperation intentions were reached on language learning, skills training, and exchange visits. 

On the same day, the delegation was invited to attend the Shanxi-Africa Vocational Education Internationalization Symposium hosted by the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the China Democratic League. 

Attendees discussed deepening cooperation between Shanxi and African countries in vocational education, and jointly cultivating more multi-skilled talent to serve the Belt and Road Initiative. They put forward many suggestions and opinions. 

Xiong Jijun, vice-governor of Shanxi province, met with the delegation in the provincial capital Taiyuan on Dec 11. He expressed hope that both sides could establish a closer cooperation mechanism, promote exchanges and cooperation between cities and enterprises in vocational education, cultural tourism, exhibitions, infrastructure, and other areas within the framework of the China-Africa talent training cooperation plan. 

Souleymane Fall expressed his willingness to collaborate with Shanxi to promote the training of talent in "Chinese language + vocational skills" and cooperate in cultural tourism, forums, events, sister cities, and sports venue construction. 

During the visit to Shanxi, the delegation also had in-depth discussions and exchanges with Shanxi Construction Investment Group Co and Huayuan International Land Port Group. 

The delegation members expressed their gratitude to Shanxi Construction Investment Group Co for its contributions to the development of various projects in Africa, and conveyed their hope of seeing long-term cooperation in technical education and vocational training. 

Huayuan International Land Port Group said it hoped to act as a bridge between UNESCO and the vocational education departments of five African countries, exploring international trade talent training, business cooperation, and jointly cultivating foreign trade bodies.