After six months of working meetings Shaanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics and the Vocational Training School IEK Orizon jointly founded “Qinling Workshop, an initiative that includes the development of high-quality training programs, the support of educational trips and the exchange of know-how.

The two institutions will work together to upgrade the quality of vocational education with an emphasis on innovation and will contribute in the long term, to the upgrading of local industries and businesses.

Meanwhile, the two sides will work together to establish the Greek branch of Shaanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics in Kalamata.

Last Thursday, on October 27 th 2022, the 1st online meeting of all the members of the coordination and implementation committee of "Qinling Workshop" took place. The meeting was attended by CHENG Shuqiang , President of Shanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics , WANG Yong, Vice President of Shanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics, the owner of the Vocational Training School IEK Orizon Fotis Bougas and the Messinian Academic Kostas Gouliamos, Former Dean of the European University Cyprus, Member of the European Academy of Science and Arts.

In the beginning of the official ceremony Prof. CHENG Shuqiang handed over the plaque of “Sino - Greek Qinling Workshop” brand to Mr. Bougas.

Then, Nikos Stakias Project Manager , Head of International Relations and Partnerships of Ekpedeftiria Bouga, as a representative of the Vocational Training School IEK Orizon, presented Kalamata and the wider area of Messinia and evaluated the development prospects arising from such an important partnership.

This was followed by the speech of Kostas Gouliamos , who had a catalytic contribution to the initial meetings with the Shanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics and to the progress of the talks. Mr. Gouliamos spoke about the creation of international professional education standards and pointed out that this year marks 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Greece. The cooperation between the two institutions is of great importance for both the development of the two cities and the two countries. As a distinct educational platform, the construction and development of the “Qinling Workshop” represents not only the two institutions, but also the broader cooperation between China and Europe in vocational education.

In addition the first three cooperation programs were presented by: LI Ying, Academic Director of the Big Data and Accounting Department, WANG Yongqian, Academic Director of the Hospitality Management and Digital Operation Department, and MA Jingzhao, Academic Director of the Arts and Crafts Design Department. The President and owner of the Vocational Training School IEK Orizon Mr. Fotis Bougas expressed his gratitude for the excellent cooperation and communication between the two educational institutions. He even noted that Xi'an and Kalamata, the capital of Shaanxi Province, and the capital of Messinia, officially established the sister city relationship on September 17 th , 2009. He emphasized that the multifaceted project of Greek -Chinese educational cooperation has the support of the Peloponnese Region and the Municipality of Kalamata and invited the Chinese Academics to visit the wider area of Messinia in the near future.

Finally, the cooperation opening ceremony closed with CHENG Shuqiang, President of Shanxi Technical College of Finance & Economics, noting that in August 2022, President Xi Jinping pointed out at the World Conference on the Development of Vocational Education that vocational education is closely related to economic and social development and is of great importance in promoting employment and entrepreneurship, economic and social assistance and enhancing people's welfare. There is an open channel of communication between the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. In this context, the two institutions signed the joint declaration on the establishment of the “Qinling Workshop”, established the joint management committee, and are working on the implementation of three model programs. STCFE is the first institution in China to propose the name “Qinling Workshop”, and it has the recognition of the Shaanxi Provincial Government. In the future, the two institutions will continue to work together to upgrade vocational education, helping to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The “ Qinling Workshop” is expected to significantly increase both the popularity of Messinian educational tourism in the Chinese market and the popularity of Greek education in China.