36 South African Students Return Industry-Ready After 150 Days in China
A milestone in South Africa-China vocational education cooperation unfolded as Ambassador Wu Peng and Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Nomusa Dube-Ncube welcomed back the first cohort of 36 TVET students from a 150-day training programme in China.
Hosted at the Chinese Embassy, the event celebrated graduates who mastered New Energy Vehicle (NEV) technology through hands-on training at Beijing Polytechnic College, in partnership with industry leader BYD. The students earned the prestigious BYD “Excellent Talent” Maintenance Technician Certification, equipping them to global standards in the rapidly expanding EV sector.
Ambassador Wu Peng hailed the programme as a practical bridge for South Africa’s skills deficit, transforming classrooms into workshops and supporting the country’s green transition. Deputy Minister Dube-Ncube praised the initiative for deepening bilateral ties and preparing youth for emerging industries like sustainable mobility.
This pilot under the DHET-China scholarship marks a scalable model for future collaborations, fostering employment and economic growth.
