STRENGTHENING CHINA-MOROCCO VOCATIONAL EDUCATION COOPERATION
STRENGTHENING CHINA-MOROCCO VOCATIONAL EDUCATION COOPERATION: A NEW BENCHMARK FOR BELT AND ROAD EDUCATION
Guangdong Teachers College of Foreign Languages and Arts Achieves Milestones in Overseas Campus Project
[Guangzhou – Agadir, Morocco May 2025]
Under the guidance of China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, the international cooperation project between Guangdong Teachers College of Foreign Languages and Arts (referred to as GTCFLA) and Ibn Zohr University of Morocco has achieved a milestone. In April 2024, the two institutions agreed to establish a ‘2+1’ dual-degree overseas campus, creating a model for Sino-Moroccan collaboration in vocational education. This initiative focuses on the International Economics and Trade major, integrating language proficiency with vocational skills training.
The first cohort of 28 students was enrolled in September 2024, followed by an online opening ceremony in November 2024. The event was attended by leaders from both institutions, marking the official launch of this transnational education project into its operational phase.
CHINESE EXPATRIATE TEACHERS SHOWCASE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN GLOBAL CLASSROOMS
In April 2025, Zhang Jiazhen, a key faculty member of the International Economics and Trade program, was dispatched to the Higher School of Technology of Agadir at Ibn Zohr University in Morocco to conduct a semester-long course on Foreign Trade Documentation Operation. With her solid expertise and innovative teaching approach, Professor Zhang quickly earned high acclaim from both students and the university. Ibn Zohr University hosted a grand welcoming ceremony in her honor, during which university leaders remarked, « Professor Zhang’s arrival not only introduces advanced pedagogical methods but also strengthens the bridge of educational collaboration between China and Morocco. »
During her teaching tenure, Professor Zhang emphasized the integration of theory and practice. Through case studies and cross-cultural exchanges, she deepened students’ understanding of international trade principles while sparking their keen interest in Chinese culture. Her engaging teaching style resulted in highly participatory classroom dynamics, laying a strong foundation for future student enrollment.
EMPOWERING MOROCCO’S VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: NATIONWIDE IMPACT THROUGH TRAINING INITIATIVES
In May 2025, at the invitation of the Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion (OFPPT), Guangdong Teachers College of Foreign Languages and Arts successfully organized the « 2025 Spring Semester China-Morocco Vocational Education Curriculum Standards Export Training. » The program systematically introduced Chinese vocational education standards and teaching methodologies to faculty members from multiple Moroccan institutions.
Through a combination of online and offline formats, core instructors Zhang Jiazhen, Shi Linglong, Yang Liting, and Zhan Zuoqiong delivered a specialized training course on « Foreign Trade Document Operations » to 16 senior local lecturers. The training content covered advanced topics such as international trade practices, cross-cultural communication, and curriculum design within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. The course was conducted in both Chinese and English and was closely tailored to the needs of Morocco’s local industries.
Moroccan trainees described the training as “highly instructive” and expressed a desire to expand the cooperation beyond the Agadir region. The program has brought valuable Chinese experience into Morocco’s vocational education system and serves as a milestone in enhancing the professional capabilities of local teachers.
THE PROJECT HAS A PROMISING FUTURE AND CREATES A NEW PARADIGM FOR INTERNATIONALISATION OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
The Guangdong Teachers College of Foreign Languages and Arts (GTCFLA) Moroccan Overseas Campus project exemplifies China’s vocational education ‘going global’ strategy and GTCFLA’s innovative ‘foreign language + vocational skills’ dual-education model. Since its launch, the project has successfully implemented an integrated ‘teaching-training-standardization’ framework, boosting the international profile of Chinese vocational education. Looking ahead, GTCFLA will deepen collaboration with Ibn Zohr University by expanding academic disciplines, pioneering ‘Chinese language + vocational skills’ training programs, and co-developing localized curricula tailored to Belt and Road countries’ needs—cultivating versatile, high-skilled talent to support regional development
