"The development of smart logistics in China is impressive. After graduation, I hope to work for a Chinese-funded logistics enterprise in Uzbekistan," said Assad, a student at the Uzbekistan Luban Workshop.

In September 2024, the Uzbekistan Luban Workshop was inaugurated at Tianjin Maritime College. Just two months later, Tianjin Vocational Institute signed an agreement with Kazakhstan's L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, marking the start of the construction of a second Luban Workshop in Kazakhstan.

Li Yi (1st, L), a professional instructor at Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College, explains the internal calibration tool setter and tool-setting operations to three Egyptian Luban Workshop trainees during a practical training class. [Photo provided to Tianjin.chinadaily.com.cn]

To date, Tianjin has established 24 Luban Workshops across 23 countries, offering 60 specialized programs in 14 disciplines. These workshops have provided degree education to over 22,000 students and skills training to 35,000 participants worldwide.

Sixteen professional standards introduced through the workshops have been recognized by government authorities in partner countries.

Through the Luban workshops, Tianjin's vocational institutions have supported the overseas development of more than 120 Chinese enterprises, including major players like China State Construction. Tianjin-based companies such as Vision Technology Prance have also been helped to expand internationally.

As a hallmark of the Belt and Road Initiative's educational collaboration, Luban Workshops have become a symbol of China’s vocational education reaching a global stage.