Pakistan, China to deepen TVET, digital skills cooperation: Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui

BEIJING, May 16 (APP): Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Saturday called for a transformative Pakistan–China partnership in technical and vocational education, emphasizing that Pakistan’s massive youth population can become a globally competitive workforce through modern skills training and internationally recognized certifications.

Addressing the TVET Symposium titled “Building Partnerships for Skills Development and Academia–Industry Collaboration”, organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing, the minister said Pakistan is preparing to launch a large-scale technical and vocational training programme with the support of China.

The symposium focused on information communication technology and telecom cooperation, bringing together government officials, educational institutions, and industry representatives from both countries.

The minister appreciated Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi and his team for promoting practical, sector-focused cooperation between Pakistan and China in skill development and technical education.

Highlighting Pakistan’s demographic potential, Siddiqui noted that the country has more than 150 million young people, describing it as both a major opportunity and a serious challenge. He stressed that with proper training and globally acceptable certifications, Pakistan’s youth could become a “game changer” for the country while also meeting growing international demand for skilled manpower, particularly in ageing societies and developing economies.

He said a trained Pakistani workforce could contribute meaningfully to Chinese-led development projects around the world and called for a “meaningful, purposeful and successful partnership” between the two countries, which share a 75-year history of friendship.

The minister said the purpose of his visit to China was also to attend the World Digital Education Conference in Hangzhou at the invitation of China’s education minister. During the visit, he held meetings with China’s vice minister of education as well as senior provincial officials from the education department to discuss future-oriented educational cooperation.

Recalling his earlier visit to China in 1998 as Pakistan’s minister for industries and production, Siddiqui said he had signed 11 memorandums of understanding with Chinese counterparts, including agreements related to the modernization of Pakistan Steel Mills and the establishment of multiple centres of excellence in engineering and industrial sectors across Pakistan.

Reflecting on China’s transformation over the past decades, the minister described today’s China as an emerging global power capable of playing a decisive role in international politics, regional prosperity, peace, and stability.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan remains China’s “first and foremost friend and ally” and said a stable and strong Pakistan is important for regional harmony, balance, and development.

Siddiqui also emphasized that the global centre of economic balance and prosperity is shifting toward the East and urged both countries to work together to make this transformation “not only possible, but permanent.”

Inviting Chinese educational institutions and industries to collaborate with Pakistan, the minister said the Government of Pakistan would fully support partnerships aimed at preparing a future-ready workforce aligned with emerging technologies and industry needs.

He concluded by expressing hope for successful long-term cooperation between the two countries in education, technology, and vocational training.