The 2024 China-Thailand Symposium on International Integration and Development of Industry and Education took place in Tianjin on Oct 31, hosted by Tianjin College of Commerce (TCC).

Marriott Industry College signs agreements with 46 overseas internship bases across Thailand during the 2024 Symposium on China-Thailand and Vocational Education International Integration and Development of Industry and Education in Tianjin on Oct 31. [Photo provided to exploringtianjin.com]

Centered on strengthening cooperation between colleges and enterprises, the event explored new pathways for integrating "Chinese+Vocational Skills" education to develop adaptable talent in business, finance and trade.

Discussions covered a range of topics, including the development of international curriculum resources, China-Thailand collaborative education and the creation of industry-specific colleges. The goal is to offer students overseas internship and study opportunities while fostering professional collaboration and academic exchange among educators.

The symposium also saw Marriott Industry College formalize partnerships with 46 overseas internship bases across Thailand, reinforcing its commitment to practical learning experiences abroad.

Keynote speakers from both the educational and business sectors presented fresh insights into vocational education, including Zhong Yinghua, president of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, who spoke on Pursuing High-quality Development of Education through Internationalized Schooling and Priya Panjikar, chief HR officer of Marriott International Group (Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar), who talked about Marriott's Southeast Asia partnerships with colleges. Lang Fuping, vice-president of Tourism College of Zhejiang, addressed the benefits of integrating culture and tourism in vocational education as it expands globally.

Supported by Dhurakij Pundit University, Bhavana Bodhigun Vocational College in Thailand, and Marriott International, the symposium reflected strong international backing for TCC's vision.

In recent years, TCC has aligned its vocational education with market demands, consistently achieving a graduate employment rate of 95 percent, among the highest in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

TCC offers 36 programs across eight fields of study, with a student body of over 10,000, including international students from more than 20 countries. It maintains partnerships with institutions in Australia, Denmark, South Korea and the United States, regularly facilitating exchanges for both students and faculty.