China model to modernise 8 technical institutes

Bangladesh will modernise eight technical education institutions by adopting China’s curriculum, teaching methods and hands-on training models under a bilateral agreement aimed at improving skills development and expanding employment opportunities for technical students.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Bangladesh and China on Saturday (October 17) on the sidelines of the 2026 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin, China.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milan signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh, while Chinese Vice Minister of Education Wang Guangyan signed for China.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Education, the two countries will jointly introduce technical education programmes under the 2+2 and 3+1 models. The initiative will also seek to expand scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi technical students and create employment opportunities for them at leading Chinese institutions.

The cooperation also includes plans to establish a new technical and technology university in Bangladesh through a joint initiative. Renowned technical and higher education institutions from China's Guangdong, Jiangxi and other provinces will participate in implementing the programmes.

Minister Milan said the Bangladesh-China MoU, alongside the Beijing Agreement, would accelerate the country's skills development efforts. He added that global technical education standards and practical bilateral cooperation would help create employment opportunities for young Bangladeshis.

Meanwhile, the Framework of World Vocational and Technical Education Standards, known as the Beijing Agreement, was formally unveiled at the closing ceremony of the conference at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre. Bangladesh expressed its support for the global framework.

Education ministers from more than 40 countries and government delegations from over 100 countries attended the conference, where several initiatives were announced to improve the quality of technical and vocational education and strengthen international cooperation.