Substantively Advancing High-Level Educational Exchanges and Cooperation | China Craftsman Valley Delegation Achieves Fruitful Outcomes on US Study Tour

To further expand international education channels and enhance the quality and effectiveness of cooperative projects, a China Craftsman Valley delegation, led by Mr. Yao Yichun (President of China POCY Group and Chair of the UNESCO World Federation Industry-Education Integration Committee), conducted a four-day official visit to the United States from October 12 to 15 (local time). The delegation, including Mr. Yang Zhilin (Executive President of China POCY Group) and Mr. Yuan Tao (Director of the International Cooperation Office, Tangshan Maritime Institute), was accompanied by Ms. Liu Xiuhua, Secretary-General of the Asia Education Beijing Forum. During the visit, the delegation engaged in in-depth exchanges on key topics of Sino-US educational cooperation at the United Nations Headquarters, the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York, the China Institute in America, Columbia University, New York College of Health Professions, and the American Health Industries Group, Putting the "Craftsman Valley Force" into pragmatic Sino-US educational cooperation in the new era.

International Perspective: Anchoring the "Core Coordinate" of Educational Governance

Vocational education is one of the greatest drivers for achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). At the UN Headquarters, the delegation was warmly received by relevant officials, who expressed high appreciation for POCY Group's innovative practices in vocational education and healthcare, recognizing the Group's exemplary role in promoting educational internationalization and serving sustainable social development. Both sides held in-depth discussions on global vocational education cooperation, youth sustainable development, and international exchange in health education.

Diplomatic Empowerment: Strengthening the "Solid Support" of People-to-People Exchange

At the Consulate General of China in New York, the delegation was warmly received by Education Counselor Yu Yougen. The delegation shared China Craftsman Valley's practical experience and innovative models in vocational education and industry-education integration, as well as its proactive explorations and achievements in international cooperation. Yu Yougen spoke highly of these educational innovations, emphasizing that the foundation of China-US relations lies with the people, and exchanges in education and culture are vital bonds for enhancing mutual understanding. He pledged support for future collaboration between China Craftsman Valley and US institutions.

Inter-Institutional Collaboration: Exploring New Directions in Talent Cultivation

At Columbia University, the delegation held discussions with Dr. Lin Xiaodong, Tenured Professor at the Teachers College and Director of the Center for Innovation and Resilience in Education. They exchanged views on cultivating student psychological resilience, integrating resilience education concepts into vocational curricula, and teacher training. Mr. Yao Yichun expressed hope for cooperation with Columbia University in the field of "resilience education," introducing its concepts into the China Craftsman Valley system to help students enhance stress resilience and psychological adaptability during their growth and career development. Dr. Lin commended POCY Group's international education initiatives and expressed willingness to provide professional support.

Practical Cooperation: Building a New Pattern of Open Education

A key outcome of the visit was the meeting at New York College of Health Professions. The delegation held in-depth talks with President Song Ali, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Steven Haffner, Chief Financial Officer Dr. Errol G. Viraswami, and other representatives. Both sides reached consensus on implementing Sino-US vocational education cooperation projects and formally signed a cooperation agreement. The agreement leverages their respective strengths in industry-education integration and international education resource coordination to deepen collaboration in cooperative education, teacher training, and student exchange, and jointly participate in building the China Craftsman Valley International Industry-Education Alliance.

The New York College of Health Professions is an interdisciplinary educational and research institution dedicated to public health, medical education, and health management research, with significant regional influence. The institute brings together medical experts, educators, and industry resources, with research areas covering disease prevention, mental health, nutrition, nursing education, and health management. Its educational philosophy emphasizes the close integration of theory and practice, focusing on promoting the development of health disciplines through community collaboration, inter-institutional alliances, and international exchange. As a key platform for health education and research in the United States, NYHHS has a long-standing commitment to international cooperation, actively exploring collaborative pathways with overseas universities in faculty training, curriculum development, and joint student programs.

Industry-Education Integration: Exploring New Pathways for Synergy

At the headquarters of American Health Industries Group, the delegation discussed "Innovating Industry-Education Collaborative Talent Cultivation Models" with founder Dr. Jimmy Wang and reached a consensus on jointly establishing the "New York Health Valley." Both parties agreed this project would create an international model park for health education and services with a dual "education + healthcare" core, becoming a new benchmark for Sino-US industry-education cooperation.

The American Health Industry Group is located in Bio Valley, Long Island, New York. It comprises four segments: a botanical drug innovation research institute, a modern factory with four types of cGMP production certificates (pharmaceuticals, health products, food, and cosmetics), FDA qualification applications, NIH/NSF technology project applications, and a North American market sales company. It has received numerous awards and commendations from local governments, the New York State government, the federal government, and the NIH/NSF.

Cultural Learning: Building a "Soft Bridge" for Educational Cooperation

The internationalization of skilled talent requires not only technical alignment but also cultural understanding and communication skills. At the China Institute in America, the delegation was jointly received by Peter Walker, Senior Partner Emeritus of McKinsey & Company, and Charles Riley, Director of the China Institute Gallery. They reviewed the Institute's significant century-long contributions to Sino-US cultural exchange and held in-depth discussions on education, humanities, and youth cooperation. With the Institute's centennial approaching in 2026, both sides agreed to use this opportunity for collaboration, using vocational education as a bridge to promote mutual learning between the youth of both nations in culture, technology, and innovation.

The China Institute in America is located in Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1926 by renowned educators such as John Dewey and Paul Monroe from Columbia University, along with prominent Chinese scholars including Hu Shi and Guo Bingwen, it is a nonprofit, non-governmental cultural institution. Its mission is to introduce Chinese culture and civilization through various educational and outreach activities, thereby enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of China and the United States. Its affiliate, the China Institute Gallery, is the only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to Chinese art. Since its establishment in 1966, the gallery has continuously organized exhibitions on Chinese culture and art, making it a learning hub in New York and globally for enthusiasts of Chinese culture and the arts.

Driving development through skills, fostering mutual benefit through cooperation. This visit represents a vivid practice of Sino-US vocational education cooperation deepening and broadening. It not only enhanced China Craftsman Valley's participation in global governance but also laid a solid foundation for future pragmatic cooperation in areas like standard-setting and resource sharing. Amid current uncertainties in China-US relations, such educational cooperation serves as a beacon, illuminating the path for people-to-people exchange and contributing vocational education's strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind. Moving forward, leveraging the global network of the China Craftsman Valley International Industry-Education Alliance, China POCY Group will continue to advance the implementation of cooperative consensus, foster more achievements in talent cultivation and industry-education synergy between China and the US, forge a future-oriented skills community, and compose a new chapter in Sino-US friendship and cooperation.