The 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference was successfully held in Tianjin from November 20 to 22. With the theme of “Innovation Empowers the Future, Skills Enlighten New Lives,” the conference brought together over 1,200 domestic and international delegates. Participants collaborated to create and share the six major international public vocational education products—namely, the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, World Vocational and Technical Education Development Alliance, World Vocational Education Awards, World Vocational College Skills Competition, Vocational Education Exhibition, and the international journal “World Vocational and Technical Education.” This gathering significantly contributed to global exchanges and cooperation in vocational education, injecting fresh impetus and making new contributions. Among the attendees were over 600 international guests, including government officials, diplomats stationed in China, and representatives from international organizations and educational institutions across more than 100 countries and regions.
Eighty-six young volunteers from Nankai University upheld the school motto — Dedication to Public Interests, Acquisition of All-round Capacity, and leveraged their foreign language expertise in preparations and on-site service tasks. Their responsibilities encompassed English explanations at thematic exhibitions, logistical support for main conferences, and assistance in parallel sessions. This marked the first instance of Nankai University’s youth volunteers serving at the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, with most volunteers coming from the School of Foreign Studies (SFS) at Nankai University.
Prior to the event, the volunteers from Nankai University diligently prepared for their tasks. Interpreter volunteers collaborated efficiently to translate Chinese scripts into English and thoroughly mastered presentation content. Volunteers for main conference logistics meticulously arranged flags, applying and refining their protocol knowledge through practical experience. Those responsible for parallel sessions assembled and organized 1,600 sets of conference materials and became proficient in the operation of simultaneous interpretation equipment. With meticulous attention and strong sense of responsibility, the Nankai students laid a solid foundation for the smooth progression of the conference agenda.
During the event, at the vocational education exhibition hall, foreign language volunteers from Nankai University enthusiastically introduced China’s achievements in vocational education and international cooperation status to foreign journalists and guests from Ethiopia, Pakistan, Laos, South Africa, and other countries, focusing on six sections: “Xi Jinping’s Perspectives on Education,” “Skills Shape Lives,” “Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage,” “Supporting Industrial Upgrading,” “Humanistic Cooperation and Exchange,” and “Innovation Empowers the Future.” Meanwhile, volunteers who are in charge of conference logistics efficiently guided foreign guests during check-ins, distributed conference materials and simultaneous interpretation headphones, effectively maintaining order at the main conference and the six parallel session rooms. At the Marriott Hotel in the National Convention and Exhibition Center, volunteers carefully inspected the foreign-language subtitles at the “Tianjin Consensus on World Vocational Education Development” consultation meeting, ensuring the event’s smooth execution and earning gratitude and praise from the organizing committee.
At the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, young volunteers from Nankai University contributed greatly with their thoughtful service and selfless dedication. Their actions vividly embodied the volunteer spirit of “dedication, friendship, mutual assistance, and progress,” gaining high praise and recognition from the organizing committee.
