Xi’an, China — In a significant move to strengthen educational cooperation between China and Turkmenistan, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Friday in Xi’an City, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. The agreement marks the official establishment of Shaanxi’s first Luban Workshop in Central Asia, aiming to cultivate highly skilled talents and promote economic and social development in the region.
The Luban Workshop, guided by China’s Ministry of Education, is an international vocational education initiative committed to nurturing professionals familiar with Chinese techniques and understanding Chinese products. The new workshop in Turkmenistan represents a milestone as it is the world’s first Luban Workshop offering comprehensive programs spanning master’s, undergraduate, and vocational education.
Under the MOU, a collaborative partnership has been formed between the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International Oil and Gas University of Turkmenistan, Xi’an Shiyou University, Hebei Petroleum University of Technology, the China Education Association for International Exchange, and the China National Petroleum Corporation. Together, they will establish the Luban Workshop in Turkmenistan, focusing on both formal and non-academic education in fields such as geological resource exploration, information systems, and technology.
The initiative is set to propel educational exchange and cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, further promoting the achievements of the China-Central Asia Summit and integrating with the Belt and Road Initiative. By fostering mutual visits of teachers and students, facilitating scientific research collaboration, and encouraging information exchange, the workshop aims to build a new platform for communication and cooperation, strengthening the ties between China and Turkmenistan.
“This cooperation project signifies deepening relations in the education sector between our nations,” commented an official at the signing ceremony. “It will inject new vitality into our local communities by cultivating highly skilled talents who will contribute to economic and social development.”
Shaanxi Province has now entered the substantive construction stage of the Luban Workshop, which is expected to serve as a model for future international educational collaborations in the region. By addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in key industries, the workshop will play a pivotal role in building a closer community with a shared future between China and Turkmenistan.
