Pakistan has secured 11 education and skills development agreements with Chinese institutions and advanced 14 joint projects aimed at expanding technical training, international qualifications and employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.
The agreements were secured during the October 27 to November 3 visit of Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan to China, where Pakistan recorded the highest number of signings among participating countries at the 27th China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE 2026).
The partnerships cover several emerging and employment-oriented sectors, including mechatronics, renewable energy, mobile communications, nursing, modern agriculture, cross-border e-commerce and internationally recognised skills certification.
Of the 11 agreements, three directly involve the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, which partnered with the China Global Professional and Technical Certification Center, Jilin Electronic Information Vocational and Technical College, and Peili Vocational College.
The remaining eight agreements involve Pakistani institutions, including the University of Lahore, Ghazi University, NUTECH Karachi, Preston Institute of Management Science and Technology, and Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), in collaboration with Chinese vocational institutions.
The visit also resulted in the launch or announcement of 14 skills and education initiatives, including an International Nursing Talent Training Base, a Cross-Border E-Commerce Talent Training Base, Pakistan Tiangong College and a Joint Teacher Training Centre. New cooperation committees focusing on industrial robotics and electronic information engineering are also part of the initiatives.
In a development linked to Pakistan’s railway modernisation plans, China Railway Group Secretary Han Hui travelled to Pakistan following discussions with Rana Mashhood to initiate practical work on technical training and employment opportunities associated with the Main Line-I (ML-1) railway upgrade.
The agreements have also produced initial progress in faculty development and student exchanges. Jilin Electronic Information Vocational and Technical College has already trained 10 Pakistani faculty members and is scheduled to enrol 15 Pakistani students in its Chinese language programme from November.
In another initiative, Pakistan jointly launched the International Green Power Talent Development Base with the China Electricity Council, Thailand’s Office of the Vocational Education Commission and TANG International Education Group to promote international cooperation in renewable energy skills development.
Addressing the Belt and Road International Forum on Industry-Education Cooperation, Rana Mashhood emphasised the importance of aligning vocational training with industrial requirements, expanding joint academic programmes, introducing internationally recognised certifications and strengthening the professional development of vocational instructors.
He also held meetings with Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Ali Asad Gillani and senior embassy officials to discuss support for education partnerships. Discussions with Thailand’s Office of the Vocational Education Commission focused on expanding technical education and vocational training cooperation among Belt and Road partner countries.
To coordinate the implementation of the agreements and projects, the PMYP China Secretariat, based at the Beijing headquarters of TANG International Education Group, will facilitate cooperation between government departments, educational institutions and industry partners.
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The initiatives are expected to strengthen Pakistan-China educational cooperation while creating additional pathways for Pakistani students and skilled workers to access international training, professional qualifications and employment opportunities.
