Chongqing Symposium Spotlights Timor-Leste’s Efforts in Skills Framework Development

INDMO, I.P. | Mr Aquiles

Chongqing, China - On May 22, 2025, as part of the 7^th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT), the Symposium on How to Develop Education Overseas along the Belt and Road (TBR) was successfully held at the Chongqing Belt and Road Business Centre.

The event was supported by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce and guided by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), the Asia-Pacific Industry-Education Development Alliance (APIEDA), and the Lan-Mekong–China Education and Training Promotion Alliance (LCETPA). It was co-organised by the Ocean-Asia Industry Education Technology Centre and the Lan-Mekong Industry Education Business Centre.

The symposium brought together distinguished participants from 14 countries—Brunei, Timor-Leste, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan—alongside over 30 Chinese educational institutions, industry leaders, and government officials. Discussions focused on the internationalisation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital and green skills transformation, and new models of industry-education collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The event was chaired by Ms. Jade Fei, Secretary-General of LCETPA. Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Kuang Huan, representing the Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Tariff Bonded Port, who emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in promoting educational and industrial development. Keynote speakers shared national experiences in TVET development, highlighting challenges, opportunities, and strategies for international collaboration. Among them was Mr. Fortunato Assunção, Qualification and Research Manager at the National Institute for Workforce Development (INDMO), Timor-Leste, who delivered a compelling presentation on the strategic need to develop National Occupational Standards (NOS) and an Industrial Skills Framework (ISF).

His address underscored the importance of these tools in aligning Timor-Leste’s vocational training with labour market demands, improving workforce quality, and advancing regional skills mobility under the Belt and Road framework. Chinese institutions also showcased innovative models of TVET development. The Chongqing University of Electronic Technology (CQUET) introduced its “Four Rings, Four Drives” model, which integrates Chinese language and vocational skills to support the global expansion of China’s automotive industry.

The Guangdong Construction Vocational Technology Institute highlighted its leadership in international cooperation within the construction sector. The Changjiang Institute of Technology (CIT) shared strategies to promote the internationalisation of vocational education from central China. The Winland Group addressed the challenges faced by TVET graduates in transitioning to employment, offering practical, scalable solutions. Mr. Allan Yang, representing both LNCCI and LCETPA, presented strategies to ensure financial sustainability in international TVET cooperation, emphasising long-term impact through targeted investment and cross-sectoral collaboration.

A major highlight of the symposium was the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and cooperation agreements with partners from Nepal, Timor-Leste, Laos, Japan, the Middle East, and Central Asia. These agreements focused on key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), new energy vehicles (NEVs), learning management systems (LMS), intelligent manufacturing, and skilled labour services.

The partnerships followed the principle of “demand orientation and precise matching,” aiming to build an integrated ecosystem that links industry needs with education, talent development, internships, and employment services.The symposium marked a significant shift from policy dialogue to actionable partnerships. Key outcomes included broad support for Timor-Leste’s INDMO in developing its NOS and ISF; agreements to harmonise TVET curricula across South-east Asia; expansion of Chinese vocational education expertise to Nepal; and the launch of strategies to drive digital transformation in vocational training.

In conclusion, a representative from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce praised the event’s “three highs”: high-level participation, high-quality dialogue, and high-impact outcomes. The symposium reaffirmed Chongqing’s role as a key hub for global TVET cooperation within the TBR framework.As stakeholders move forward, the symposium has laid a strong foundation for deepened collaboration in skills development, curriculum innovation, and sustainable education systems.

The active engagement of INDMO—represented by Mr. Fortunato Assunção—reinforced Timor-Leste’s commitment to becoming a leading partner in shaping a resilient, skilled, and interconnected global workforce under the Belt and Road vision.