A delegation representing various South African universities was recently invited by the Intercultural Education Company (IEC) to explore the educational landscape of the People's Republic of China.
During the 10-day expedition the delegation had the opportunity to learn more about China's educational success, its innovative employability strategies, and the harmonious collaboration between government, industry and academia.
Representatives from the North-West University (NWU) included Hloni Putsoane, employer engagement specialist from the Career Centre, alongside members of the Faculty of Humanities – Prof Langa Khumalo, director of the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources, Prof Herculene Kotzé, deputy dean for community engagement, business development and stakeholder relations, and Prof Mokgadi Molope, associate professor in the School of Development Studies, Population and Health.
In addition, the South Africans also gained insight into the placements of recently graduated South African educators employed in China.
China's educational system, spanning from kindergarten to university, made a lasting impression on the visiting delegation. They were captivated by the state-of-the-art infrastructure and the holistic approach that fosters both academic brilliance and character development.
The delegation found it particularly heartening to see the warm embrace extended to South African educators teaching in China, which affirmed the legitimacy and promise of cross-cultural educational ventures.
The proactive approach China took to tackle youth unemployment resonated strongly with the South African delegation.
“China's commitment to preparing students for real-world challenges through strong university-industry partnerships was evident in the seamless transition of graduates into the workforce. This was supported by key pillars such as internship opportunities, mentorship programmes and career guidance initiatives. It was an affirmation that we are on the right path as we have the same approach,” says Hloni.
The delegation was inspired by China's innovative use of big data to address youth employability, witnessing first-hand how it shapes employment policies and identifies market demands. This highlighted China's progressive approach to tackling workforce challenges, leaving the delegation with a newfound appreciation for the transformative power of data-driven decision-making in employability programmes.
Exploring China's specialised universities dedicated to information and communication technology, electronics, and engineering, the delegation found it highlights the nation's commitment to excellence in key industries.
“These institutions forge symbiotic relationships with industries to ensure that graduates possess the cutting-edge skills demanded by evolving technologies. The potential for collaboration between Chinese and South African universities, aligned with the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) accord, holds promise for mutual growth and innovation.”
“We were introduced to a vast array of their innovative systems in education, from basic to university education, to technology companies of global standards, and their talent attraction programmes. The latter was particularly intriguing, as China seeks to attract the best talent in the world in its drive to be a leading talent hub in the world in all sectors of the knowledge economy,” says Prof Khumalo.
The trip to China revealed a wealth of knowledge for the South African delegation, sparking ambitions for joint efforts in education and workforce development.
“The trip to China was also an opportunity to engage with the IEC with the view of getting more staff and students from South Africa and China collaborating with each other,” says Prof Molope.
As both nations strive for educational excellence and economic empowerment, the lessons learned from this journey will illuminate the way to a brighter and more prosperous future for both.
A delegation from the NWU recently visited Zhongshan, China. From left are Prof Langa Khumalo, Prof Herculene Kotzé, Hloni Putsoane and Prof Mokgadi Molope.
