On June 14, 2025, the UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education (ICEE) successfully held the “Exchange Program for Education Sector Standardization Officials from Developing Countries” at Tsinghua University. Participants included WANG Sunyu, Deputy Director and Secretary General of ICEE, and Professor at the School of Education Tsinghua University; LU Yang, Research Fellow at the Institute of the Belt and Road Institute Tsinghua University; ZHUANG Yuanyuan, Director of the International Standardization Talent Training and Communication Base, Chengdu Institute of Standardization; QIAO Weifeng, Assistant to Secretary General of ICEE and Associate Professor in Research; SHEN Ye, Assistant to Secretary General of ICEE and Secretary General of the ICEE Global Partnership Committee; KANG Jincheng, Strategic Expert of International Cooperation of ICEE, Former Director General of Department of International Cooperation of Chinese Academy of Engineering, participated online. The Program was moderated by XU Lihui, Assistant to Secretary General of ICEE.

Professor WANG Sunyu delivered the opening remarks, extending a warm welcome to nearly 40 international guests from more than ten countries, including Nepal, Romania, Gambia, Guyana, Mongolia, Iraq, Egypt, Panama, and Cuba. He noted that since its establishment, ICEE has conducted a wide range of educational research, talent development, and international exchange activities. These efforts have strengthened cooperation with many countries, particularly developing countries, countries of the Global South, and Belt and Road partner countries, and have achieved notable results.

Opening Remarks by WANG Sunyu

LU Yang expressed her appreciation to ICEE. In her speech, she emphasized that engineering education plays a crucial role in today’s interconnected world. It is through engineering that we build infrastructure and drive technological innovation to address a range of challenges from climate change to sustainable development.

ZHUANG Yuanyuan expressed her gratitude to the Institute of the Belt and Road Initiative Tsinghua University and ICEE. In her remarks, she noted that the professionals of ICEE are experts in the field of engineering education and expressed her hope that the day’s learning and exchanges would inspire the participants from various countries.

Opening Remarks by LU Yang, ZHUANG Yuanyuan

During the presentation session, QIAO Weifeng delivered a speech titled "Research and Practice of Mutual Recognition Standards for Engineering Education and Engineering Competencies." in which he elaborated on the significance of mutual recognition standards in the field of engineering education and their practical applications. SHEN Ye presented on "Research on the Development of Engineering Talents under the Background of the Belt and Road Initiative - Localized Talent Practice and International Talent Cultivation." She explored how engineering talent can be developed through a combination of localized and international approaches within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. KANG Jincheng, speaking online, shared insights on " China’s Engineering Achievements & Prospects for International Cooperation in Engineering Vocational Education." His presentation highlighted China's accomplishments in engineering science and technology and the broad prospects for future international collaboration.

XU Lihui Moderated, QIAO Weifeng, SHEN Ye, KANG Jincheng Delivered Speech

During the open discussion session, participants engaged in a lively exchange on various issues related to engineering education in developing countries. Attendees posed questions to the speakers based on the specific circumstances in their respective countries, creating an energetic atmosphere filled with dynamic dialogue and the exchange of ideas.

Open Discussion Session

In his concluding remarks, WANG Sunyu emphasized that engineering education in developing countries must innovate and reform by drawing on advanced international experience while adapting to their own national contexts. He stated that only through multiparty collaboration, resource sharing, and sustained policy support can high quality engineering talent be cultivated to meet future development needs and provide strong human resource support for national economic growth and social progress.

This event promoted exchange and cooperation among developing countries in the field of educational standardization, advanced the internationalization of engineering education and related areas, and injected new momentum into the balanced development of global engineering education.

LI Chao, FU Jie, TAO Jinhu, CHANG Xiaohan, YANG Wudi, and LI Jingjing from ICEE facilitated and took part in the exchange program.