On September 15, the 2025 China (Guangxi)–ASEAN Conference on Vocational Education Cooperation and Development was grandly held in Nanning, Guangxi. The conference was hosted by the Guangxi Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, and organized by the Guangxi Department of Education, was held under the theme “Promoting AI Empowerment in Vocational Education, Building a Digital Foundation for Vocational Education,” with one main session and five parallel sessions. Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST) was invited to attend and sign multiple cooperation agreements.
At the opening ceremony, Lu Xinning, Vice-Governor of the Guangxi Autonomous Region, attended and declared the conference open. Distinguished guests present included: Chea Kosal, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia; Ojat Darojat, Deputy Minister of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture of Indonesia; Samlane Phankhavong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos; Zaw Myint, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education of Myanmar; Som Ratana, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia; Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the China-ASEAN Center; and Li Zhi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education, Ministry of Education of China. The conference was presided over by Liang Lei, Deputy Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
During the session, the following initiatives were launched: the “China–ASEAN Modern Craftsman College AI Empowerment Construction Plan”, the “AI Talent Training Program for ASEAN (‘Hundreds, Thousands, Tens of Thousands’)”, and the “Chinese Language + Logistics and Supply Chain Vocational Skills” International Competition, as well as the first ASEAN University Invitational Tournament. On behalf of KLUST, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Suraya Amirrudin signed a joint education cooperation agreement with Guangxi Communications Vocational and Technical College, further advancing international collaboration and exchange between the two institutions.
On September 16, the parallel session titled “AI Empowerment for Innovation and Development of Vocational Education in Transportation” was held in Nanning. KLUST participated in the session and jointly witnessed the establishment of the China–ASEAN Innovation Cooperation Center for AI in Transportation, being appointed as a Vice Council Member of the Center. The Center comprises 60 member universities, enterprises, and institutions from China and ASEAN countries. It will focus on key areas such as intelligent traffic management, autonomous driving, and smart logistics, and will promote in-depth cooperation in technical standards alignment, joint scientific research, and talent development between China and ASEAN countries. This initiative is also expected to drive KLUST’s high-quality development.
At the conference, Professor Suraya binti Amirrudin, Associate Vice-Chancellor of KLUST, signed a four-party institution-enterprise cooperation agreement with Guangxi Vocational and Technical College of Communications, Guangxi Jiaoke Group Co., Ltd., and the Malaysia–China International Education Center. She also delivered a keynote speech on the conference theme, stating that KLUST is committed to advancing education development through technological empowerment and is eager to explore new models and forms of integrating AI into education, research, and industry through diverse cooperation. She expressed hope to work together in planning major initiatives in education cooperation, drawing a new blueprint for collaborative development, promoting mutual learning and advancement between China and ASEAN, and contributing to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. She emphasized the vital role of education in building a closer China–ASEAN community with a shared future.
In addition, the KLUST delegation, accompanied by officials from Guangxi Vocational and Technical College of Communications, visited the college and toured its professional laboratories and training facilities, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation. The delegation was also joined by Wu Yu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Anhui Luhai Business Vocational College, and Peng Yan, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation.