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research article
DOI: 10.48612/RG/RGW.26.2.11
Promoting International Exchange and Cooperation in Vocational Education in the Context of "One Belt, One Road"
Xie Shihong H
Shandong Vocational College of Light Industry, Shandong, China
Abstract. Since the "Belt and Road" strategy was proposed, Chinese universities have taken measures to strengthen international cooperation and exchange with countries and regions along the "Belt and Road". The joint construction of "One Belt, One Road" requires not only hard connectivity in terms of economic development and infrastructure construction, but also soft connectivity in terms of cultural cooperation and exchange, talent training and technology exchange. Education is the foundation of national prosperity and the source of national rejuvenation. Especially, higher vocational education, as an important national education undertaking, shoulders a great responsibility to promote international cooperation and exchange. There are now both new opportunities and challenges for international exchange and cooperation in vocational education in China. However, the implementation of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative is aimed at developing new opportunities for higher education and vocational training. Communities need to overcome difficulties, actively implement programs and activities of international relations and cooperation in vocational education in order to achieve better interaction and communication between and within countries.
Keywords: economic development; talent training; educational cooperation; technology exchange; globalization
For citation: Xie Shihong. Promoting International Exchange and Cooperation in Vocational Education in the Context of "One Belt, One Road". Russia in the Global World. 2023. Vol. 26. Iss. 2. P. 163-174. DOI: 10.48612/rg/RGW.26.2.11
© Xie Shihong, 2023. Published by Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.
научная статья УДК: 327.8
DOI: 10.48612/RG/RGW.26.2.11
Развитие международного обмена и сотрудничества в области профессионального образования в контексте инициативы
«Один пояс, один путь»
Се Шихун н
Шаньдунский профессиональный колледж легкой промышленности, Китай
Аннотация. Предложенная стратегия развития "Один пояс, один путь" способствует развития мер в китайских университетах по укреплению международного сотрудничества и активизации обмена со странами и регионами, входящими в проект. Совместная реализация инициативы требует не только жесткое соединение с точки зрения экономического развития и строительства инфраструктуры, но и использования инструментов мягкой силы с точки зрения активизации культурного сотрудничества и партнерства, подготовки кадров и обмена технологиями. Образование является основой национального процветания и источником национального возрождения. В частности, на высшее профессиональное образование как на важный национальный образовательный проект, возлагается огромная ответственность за развитие международного сотрудничества и партнерства. В настоящее время существуют как новые возможности, так и проблемы для международного обмена и сотрудничества в области профессионального образования в Китае. Однако реализация инициативы "Один пояс, один путь" направлена на развитие новых возможностей для высшего образования и профессионального обучения. Обществам необходимо преодолевать трудности, активно внедрять программы и мероприятия международных отношений и сотрудничества в профессиональном образовании, чтобы добиться лучшего взаимодействия и общения между странами и внутри стран.
Ключевые слова: Экономическое развитие; подготовка талантов; сотрудничество в области образования; обмен технологиями; глобализация
Для цитирования: Се Шихун. Развитие международного обмена и сотрудничества в области профессионального образования в контексте инициативы «Один пояс, один путь» // Россия в глобальном мире. 2023. Т. 26. Вып. 2. С. 163-174. DOI: 10.48612/rg/RGW.26.2.11
© Cе Шихун, 2023. Издатель: Санкт-Петербургский политехнический университет Петра Великого.
Introduction and Materials
The introduction and development of the "Belt and Road" strategy has promoted friendly cooperation between China and countries along the route. In the past 10 years, the "Belt and Road" initiative has become richer in
connotation and more and more partners, and is leading a new round of globalization. The joint construction of "One Belt, One Road" requires not only hard connectivity in terms of economic development and infrastructure construction, but also soft connectivity in terms of cultural cooperation and exchange, talent training and technology exchange. Strengthening the exchange and cooperation of vocational education between China and the "Belt and Road" co-construction countries will become an important direction for future educational exchanges, and can inject new momentum into the construction of the "Road of Civilization".
Results
Under the strategy of "One Belt and One Road", "internationalization of higher vocational education has become the leading trend in the development of higher vocational education, providing a new platform for vocational education with Chinese characteristics to go global" [1]. In this process, China's higher vocational institutions are facing both good opportunities and great challenges.
The Process of Globalization and China's Reform and Opening up Provide
Intrinsic Motivation for International Exchange and Cooperation in
Vocational Education
Economic development is the fundamental motive. In today's world, economic globalization continues to develop deeply, and resources such as capital, technology and talents are effectively allocated, especially the competition for talents has become an important factor of international competitiveness. In order to be based on the current wave of reform and opening up, higher vocational colleges and universities should "focus on cultivating students' practical skills and innovation ability, and cultivate high-quality technical and skilled talents with international vision, so as to realize the international allocation of human resources in the global scope" [2]. In the context of globalization, international competition is becoming increasingly fierce, the importance of cultural soft power is highlighted, and the cultivation of scientific and technological talents has become a key way for each country to enhance its competitiveness, which has put forward the intrinsic motivation for higher education institutions to cultivate skilled talents.
Therefore, vocational colleges should "accelerate the internationalization of higher vocational education from a practical point of view, and cultivate
highly qualified and skilled talents with international vision who can adapt to the requirements of economic globalization and information globalization" [3].
The "One Belt, One Road" Strategy Provides an Effective Platform for International Exchange and Cooperation of Higher Vocational Education in China
With the continuous development of "One Belt, One Road" strategy, the pace of "going out" of Chinese enterprises and "coming in" of enterprises in countries along the "One Belt, One Road" has accelerated. The demand for skilled international talents from countries and regions along the "Belt and Road" has also increased, which provides a new platform and way for higher vocational colleges to cultivate skilled international talents and participate in the process of global international exchange and cooperation. "To cultivate localized engineering and construction talents along the route and build economic and cultural interconnection, vocational education exchange becomes the golden key to open the door" [4]. Some countries along the Belt and Road are in great need of Chinese educational institutions to train their talents, especially vocational education. In order to meet the needs of talent training in the countries along the route, many higher vocational institutions in China have accepted international students from many countries in Central Asia and Africa to further their studies in China, such as the "High Speed Railway Luban College" jointly established by China and Thailand in April 2019, which is jointly built by Wuhan Railway Vocational and Technical College of China and Ban Pai Industrial Community Education College of Thailand. The goal of the college is, on the one hand, to provide academic education and railroad staff training to cultivate Thai technical skill personnel for high-speed railway; on the other hand, to be able to provide technical talents for the smooth implementation of Sino-Thai railroad projects.
Challenges to International Exchange in Vocational Education
In the new era, the level of international exchange and cooperation of China's higher vocational institutions has improved significantly, but with the in-depth development of the "Belt and Road" strategy, higher vocational institutions are also facing a series of challenges.
Inadequate Internationalization System and Mechanism in Vocational Colleges
The reason for the unsound system and mechanism is that the system development has not kept pace with the rapid economic development, which is reflected in the higher vocational education level: the international exchange and cooperation system and mechanism are unsound. Many vocational colleges and universities still follow the traditional mode of school running, lacking basic management regulations and systems, such as, "Regulations on the M anagement of International Students" and "Regulations on the Management of International Exchange Students" [5].
In addition, at present, most vocational colleges and universities do not have professional management teams and professional management organizations. Although most schools have relevant departmental organizations such as international cooperation and exchange offices, which are responsible for international exchange, international students and other related affairs, the training of their personnel is not in place, and some of them even have difficulties in language communication.
Low Internationalization Level and Weak Internationalization Awareness
in Vocational Colleges
In terms of training objectives and positioning, many higher vocational institutions have vague objectives and positioning, and single training mode. International exchange and cooperation only stay at the level of language training, short-term study tours, etc. "The training objectives, training mode and curriculum design of international talents do not meet the requirements of the Belt and Road Initiative, and lack systematic design, development and implementation" [6]. These deficiencies do not allow teachers and students to learn advanced professional knowledge and educational management concepts.
In addition, there is a serious problem of weak internationalization consciousness in international exchange and cooperation of higher vocational colleges and universities, many of them have not established the development concept of serving the "Belt and Road" strategy, and the consciousness lags behind the practice. The practice of "One Belt, One Road" is developing very well, but the advanced internationalization concept that matches it has not kept pace with it. In addition, due to the influence of the unsound internationalization
system and mechanism, some institutions have not planned a reasonable internationalization idea and a clear way to run the school.
Insufficient Faculty Level, Capacity and Funding in Vocational Institutions
In the field of Sino-foreign cooperative education in many vocational colleges, especially in the teaching activities of professional courses, domestic teachers usually teach for our teachers, but there is the problem of higher professionalism and lower foreign language level, while foreign teachers are the opposite, with high foreign language level and lower professional level. "According to the existing constraints of objective factors such as approval and training programs and funding for going abroad on official business, the opportunities for domestic teachers to study and train abroad (abroad) are relatively reduced, and it is difficult to improve the level of competence" [7].
The Significance of International Exchanges in Vocational Education in the Context of "One Belt, One Road"
The "One Belt, One Road" strategy is of great practical significance, and in the education cooperation, it can provide an important way for the participating countries and regions to exchange talents and learn from each other.
Benefit from the Social Benefits of Promoting International Exchange and Cooperation Among Countries Along the Belt and Road
First of all, international exchange and cooperation in vocational education in the context of "One Belt, One Road" is conducive to cultivating more excellent teachers, expanding teachers' international vision, enhancing their theoretical basic knowledge and professional skills, improving their teaching practice, and improving the low level and insufficient ability of teachers in vocational colleges.
Secondly, the construction of excellent faculty helps to improve the level of higher education institutions and the goal of talent training. Insist on "serving the 'Belt and Road' national strategy as the purpose, insisting on open schooling and special schooling in the service, actively seeking new opportunities for development and creating new highlights of international exchange and cooperation" [8; 15]. Cultivate high quality international talents with solid
theoretical foundation knowledge and excellent professional skills that meet the needs of countries along the route.
Again, to promote cultural cooperation and exchange among countries along the "Belt and Road", through the talent cultivation goal of higher vocational education, it can meet the talent demand of countries along the route, and at the same time, it is conducive to the building of exchange and mutual trust between different countries and societies. China has always pursued the cultural concept of "openness, tolerance and inclusion" in the cooperation, and insisted on people-oriented to consolidate the foundation of cultural exchange; insisted on innovation to lead and inject new vitality into cultural exchange.
The Way to Promote the Internationalization of Vocational Education in China and Build a Strong Country of Higher Education
Education is the foundation of national prosperity and the source of national rejuvenation. Especially, higher vocational education, as an important national education undertaking, shoulders a great responsibility to promote international cooperation and exchange. "Enrich the content of overseas cooperative education, jointly set up training centers and vocational colleges, create a hierarchical vocational education and training system, and cultivate all kinds of talents that serve the needs of local economic and social development" [9]. As mentioned in the previous article, China's higher vocational education is facing a series of problems such as unsound internationalization system, low internationalization level and weak internationalization consciousness, etc. International exchange and cooperation in education through the Belt and Road Initiative can help solve these problems and promote the internationalization of higher education in China.
The level of internationalization is an important indicator to measure the standard of running a university, and it is also a basic function of higher education institutions in China to serve the national strategic planning. The internationalization of vocational education in the context of "One Belt and One Road" is a major initiative of China to deepen and expand the level of opening up to the outside world, which helps to promote the rational allocation of educational resources and factors worldwide and enhance the flow of talents, capital and technology among countries.
Helps Strengthen the Cultural Soft Power of the Chinese Nation and Enhance the Status of the International Community
Chinese culture is profound and has a long history, but the rest of the world does not have a comprehensive or even biased understanding of Chinese culture. Nowadays, cultural strength is becoming more and more important in the international community. The construction of "One Belt and One Road" needs not only the hard connection of infrastructure construction, but also the soft connection of talent, skills and cultural exchange, and the talent cultivation in higher education institutions is the strategic fulcrum and key to the construction of "One Belt and One Road" [13]. Talent and technology are important components of cultural soft power. The international exchange of vocational education is one of the important ways of cultural exchange, which provides an effective window for the world to understand Chinese culture.
Discussion
In order to change the status quo of the superstructure (inadequate institutions and mechanisms) lagging behind the economic foundation (the "Belt and Road" practice) and to better promote international exchanges and cooperation in vocational education, both the state and vocational institutions should speed up the pace of reform and strengthen the improvement and development of the superstructure and system to adapt to the "Belt and Road" construction. The current situation of "One Belt, One Road" construction.
At the National Level, Three Points of Emphasis Need to be Made from System Innovation, Institutional Innovation and Mechanism Innovation
The first one is: institutional innovation. Based on the strategic goal of "going out" of Chinese enterprises [14], integrated vocational education aims at cultivating international, high-quality and skillful talents, and actively explores the establishment of the goal of "going out" of vocational education as a support, and forms a system that is conducive to the construction of cross-border production and education. The system guarantees for the integration of cross-border industry and education. By establishing and improving the framework of the national vocational education system, we strive to explore the interconnection of academic certificates, degree certificates and vocational skill level certificates.
The second is: institutional innovation. The characteristics of vocational education are different from those of general education, and vocational education focuses on cultivating students' professional skills and hands-on abilities. For the international exchange of vocational education, we can try to establish a teaching system based on the cultivation of professional and skilled talents to meet the demand of international and skilled talents from different countries along the "Belt and Road".
The third one is: mechanism innovation. Different countries have different needs for skilled personnel. To ensure that our talent training meets the multi-level and different needs of countries along the "Belt and Road", we can actively explore the establishment of different cooperation and multi-country cooperation mechanisms for cross-border vocational education systems. At the same time, we should improve the funding mechanism, clarify the details of the income and expenditure of the exchange economy of "One Belt, One Road" countries, support the cooperation between schools and enterprises, and improve the low level of teaching in higher vocational institutions due to insufficient funding.
At the Level of Vocational Institutions, it is Necessary to Update the Educational Concept, Innovate the Teaching Mode and Enhance Interaction and Communication
First of all, many vocational institutions have the problem of weak internationalization awareness and low internationalization level; therefore, "vocational institutions should further change their concepts, introduce international advanced vocational standards, professional curricula, teaching material systems and educational resources, and actively provide students with higher and better international vision opportunities and platforms" [10].
Secondly, we should innovate the teaching mode. Change the traditional teacher on the podium lecture, students listen to the lecture classroom model, the introduction of practical operation classroom. Can be taught in the practical training base: while practical training, while learning theory, students remember more deeply. Promote schools and enterprises to strengthen in-depth cooperation and create a number of high-level practical training bases. Combine theoretical learning with practical operation to improve students' hands-on skills. Launch a
pilot 1+X certificate system and enhance the importance of hands-on certificates.
Finally, in the interactive communication. On the one hand, to build a "dual-teacher" teacher team and improve the overall quality and level of teachers, vocational institutions can implement public recruitment of high-skilled, high-level and high-quality talents by direct inspection [11; 12]; schools need to regularly organize and send professional backbone teachers to study and visit abroad to improve the teacher team construction, improve the foreign language level of local teachers, and improve the level of diplomatic professional skills. On the other hand, we need to carry out deep and multidimensional exchange activities for teachers and students abroad, and expand exchange programs along the Belt and Road, such as language training and summer international exchange programs, to enhance interaction and exchange with countries along the route.
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Сведения об авторах / Information about authors
Се Шихун - преподаватель, Шаньдунский профессиональный колледж легкой
промышленности.
E-mail: [email protected]
Автор заявляет об отсутствии конфликта интересов.
Xie Shihong - Teacher, Shandong Vocational College of Light Industry.
E-mail: [email protected]
The author declares no conflict of interests.
Статья поступила в редакцию 24.02.2023. Одобрена после рецензирования 10.04.2023. Принята 25.04.2023. Received 24.02.2023. Approved after reviewing 10.04.2023. A ccepted 25.04.2023.
