To deepen vocational education cooperation and industrial alignment between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), and to jointly promote technological innovation and talent cultivation in the field of food quality and safety, a delegation from the Bulgaria SME Training Program—organized by the Food Quality and Safety Committee of the China-CEEC Vocational Education Alliance—recently visited Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University. The delegation was accompanied by representatives from the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), Ministry of Commerce. Vice President Wu Youzhi, Assistant to the President and Director of the International Department Yan Hui, and Deputy Dean of the School of Food and Pharmacy Ji Jing attended the welcome ceremony.
In his speech, Vice President Wu Youzhi expressed sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Commerce and the Alliance for their trust and support, and warmly welcomed the visiting Bulgarian entrepreneurs. He emphasized the university’s proactive alignment with the national Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to build a model hub for internationally influential vocational education cooperation. Wu shared the university’s practices and achievements in cultivating interdisciplinary technical talents with global vision, professional skills, and intercultural communication abilities. He also expressed willingness to deepen cooperation with CEEC partners and contribute the “Zhongqiao Model” to the internationalization of vocational education.
Yan Hui gave a detailed overview of the university’s development history, highlighting major progress in international cooperation and talent development. She introduced key measures for building a comprehensive, multi-tiered, and broad-ranging international exchange and cooperation framework, showcasing the university’s achievements under its internationalization strategy.
Focusing on the mission of the Food Committee and its implementation at the university, Ji Jing shared the development path and commitment of the committee, as well as the School of Food and Pharmacy’s pioneering efforts in international industry-education integration. She systematically outlined the committee’s achievements in faculty development, training facilities, industry-academia-research integration, and talent cultivation. The committee has formed a positive ecosystem that supports “high-quality employment and sustainable development,” fully demonstrating the university’s effectiveness in nurturing talent in the field of food quality and safety.
The delegation, including representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Bulgarian enterprises, toured the university’s School of International Education, gymnasium, library, drone training lab, and relevant training facilities of the School of Food and Pharmacy. They were deeply impressed by the university’s advanced infrastructure, strong academic atmosphere, and the energetic demeanor of faculty and students. Many visitors paused frequently to capture memorable moments and expressed high praise for the university’s educational strength and nurturing environment.
The successful visit of the Bulgarian SME Training Program marks a significant step in deepening the integration of industry and education between China and CEECs and advancing collaborative development in the field of food quality and safety. Through in-depth exchanges and on-site visits, both sides further strengthened collaboration in school-enterprise cooperation, standard harmonization, and resource sharing. This will undoubtedly inject strong momentum into the upgrading and innovation of the food industry chain in Central and Eastern Europe.
