Recently, 30 Rwandan students boarded a flight to China to embark on a one-year vocational skills education journey. These students come from two majors: e-commerce and electrical automation. After completing two years of study at Musanze Vocational and Technical College in northern province of Rwanda, they were selected to further their studies at Jinhua Vocational and Technical College in Zhejiang, China.
On April 23rd, at Kigali International Airport in the capital of Rwanda, a student from Musanze Vocational and Technical College in the northern province of Rwanda hugged and bid farewell to his mother. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jili
Before these students set off, the reporter visited Musanze Vocational and Technical College and the Luban Workshop in Rwanda located within the college. The Rwanda Luban Workshop was established in cooperation between Jinhua Vocational and Technical College and Rwanda Institute of Technology. It was unveiled at Musanze Vocational and Technical College in November last year.
On November 18, 2023, at the Musangze Vocational and Technical College in the Northern Province of Rwanda, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun (right) and the Governor of the Northern Province of Rwanda, Maurice Mugabowagahongde, jointly unveiled the plaque for the Luban Workshop in Rwanda. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Huang Wanqing)
In the media live training room of Luban Workshop, the reporter met 21-year-old Natasha, who was learning lighting and video shooting techniques at the time. Natasha comes from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and is studying e-commerce at Musanze Vocational and Technical College. She expressed her expectations for studying abroad in China to reporters.
“I feel very honored that the school has given us the opportunity to go to China,” Natasha said. “E-commerce has enabled me to understand digitalization and everything that happens globally. Studying in China will enhance our thinking ability and enhance our professional skills when starting a business.” She said that China is at the forefront of global development in digital technology and business, and studying e-commerce in China will contribute to future development.
This is an outdoor shot taken on April 15th at Musanze Vocational and Technical College in the northern province of Rwanda. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jili
23 year old Asher is a third year student majoring in electrical automation. He said that studying in Rwanda has laid a solid foundation of technical knowledge for him, and he is full of expectations for studying in China. “Going to China for further studies will enhance my practical skills and theoretical knowledge, and cultivate stronger competitiveness for the future.”
Yasher said that as a rapidly developing country, Rwanda is actively introducing the latest technologies such as electrical automation. “Electrical automation is a constantly evolving career field, and studying this major will contribute to the development of our country.”
On November 18, 2023, two local students operated instruments in the laboratory of the Luban Workshop at Musanze Vocational and Technical College in the northern province of Rwanda. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Huang Wanqing)
Yasher believes that cooperation between schools not only promotes academic development, but also serves as a bridge for cultural exchange and a platform for mutual learning. While exploring Chinese culture, he hopes to enable more Chinese people to understand the history and culture of Rwanda.
According to Wu Weixin, a teacher stationed in Rwanda at Jinhua Vocational and Technical College, e-commerce and electrical automation are two majors that Luban Workshop collaborates on. At present, the technical standards of these two majors have been approved by the Rwandan Institute of Technology, the Rwandan Higher Education Commission, and the Rwandan Ministry of Education, and have been incorporated into the Rwandan vocational and technical standards system. Students will learn and practice in a “2+1” format in two locations (2 years in Musanze, Rwanda and 1 year in Jinhua, China).
“In terms of hardware facilities, we have established 5 training rooms in the Luban workshop in Rwanda, equipped with the necessary equipment for our two cooperative majors,” Wu Weixin introduced. “We also regularly arrange professional technical teachers to go to the site for teaching and practical guidance to ensure that students receive sufficient guidance and support.”
As of now, the Luban Workshop in Rwanda has recruited and trained a total of 210 students, and conducted nearly 10000 “Chinese+vocational skills” training sessions, providing important support for talent cultivation in Chinese funded enterprises in Rwanda and enhancing the employment ability of Rwandan youth.
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On April 15th, students practiced operating a robotic arm through a computer at Musanze Vocational and Technical College in the northern province of Rwanda. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Gilly on pagebreak
On April 15th, students attended classes at Musanze Vocational and Technical College in the northern province of Rwanda. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jili