Pretoria: Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has led a welcoming ceremony for 36 South African graduates at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria following their successful completion of a specialised training programme at Beijing Polytechnic College in China. The graduates form part of the first cohort to benefit from a collaboration between Beijing Polytechnic College and nine South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, under the Joint Declaration of Cooperation (JDC) signed in 2024.

According to South African Government News Agency, the initiative enabled the students to participate in an intensive 18-week programme at the School of Mechanical Engineering in Beijing. The programme is embedded within the longstanding and growing cooperation between the Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China in the fields of higher education and skills development. Dr. Dube-Ncube highlighted the significant role of this partnership in strengthening South Africa’s technical capacity and advancing the country’s knowledge economy during the ceremony.

As the coordinator of the People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM), the Deputy Minister underscored the mutually beneficial nature of the cooperation between the two countries, noting the expanding scope for future opportunities in education, training, and industrial skills development. Addressing the graduates and stakeholders, the Deputy Minister encouraged South African youth to adopt a broader and more strategic outlook when considering study opportunities in China.

She emphasised the importance of aligning international learning experiences with long-term national priorities, particularly those outlined in South Africa’s National Development Plan. Dr. Dube-Ncube also expressed appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Wu Peng, and the diplomatic staff at the Chinese Embassy for their support in ensuring the smooth implementation of exchange programmes.

She acknowledged the presence of Chinese businesses operating in South Africa, thanking them for their contributions and encouraging continued support for South African students in acquiring critical technical and vocational skills.