By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is leading a South African delegation on a working visit to China to foster international collaboration in the field of technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Department spokesperson Camagwini Mavovana said the trip would last until later this month.
It follows President Cyril Ramaphosa saying that SA-China relations would be elevated.
Nkabane’s itinerary includes participation in the three-day 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development conference in Tianjin, set to start on 20 November.
The event is expected to bring together over 1000 global leaders, educators and industry professionals to discuss topics including industry-education integration, sustainable development, skills development, teacher training and quality assurance in vocational education.
Mavovana said the event aimed to shape the future of vocational education worldwide and highlighted the transformative role of innovation and skills development in building resilient societies and economies.
She said the visit would involve a study mission designed to deepen collaboration between South African and Chinese institutions. Focus areas included technical education, expanding opportunities for South African students in China, and enhancing the country’s expertise in mineral processing and exploration.
Nkabane would promote institutional partnerships between South African TVET colleges and their Chinese counterparts, focusing on creating sustainable pathways for skills development and knowledge exchange.
The trip would also include expanding scholarship opportunities for students to pursue studies in China, and supporting South Africa’s skills development initiatives, particularly in fields critical to economic growth such as mineral sciences.
Nkabane is expected to be joined by the director-general of the department, Nkosinathi Sishi, as well as representatives from several South African tertiary educational institutions.
Additionally, representatives from the Council for Geoscience and the Council of Mineral Technology will accompany the delegation in order to strengthen collaboration on mineral sciences.
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