In the signal control room of the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College, Laotian teachers are conducting railway signal inspection and maintenance operations, exchanging the essence of technical knowledge. Outside, at the simulated railway station, Laotian teacher Sun Tongjian is delivering on-site teaching for the "Introduction to Railways" course under the guidance of Chinese experts. This scene unfolds every day at the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College.

Since the official handover of the Lao Railway Vocational and Technical College, which was built with Chinese assistance, to the Lao side on October 12, 2023, the 40 Laotian teachers who underwent "Chinese language + vocational skills" railway training at Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College have become the first group of railway teaching staff at the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College. They have shouldered the noble mission of cultivating railway talents in Laos, like seeds sprouting and growing along with the China-Laos Railway.

Lao railway teacher Chen Leyang was demonstrating locomotive simulation operation.

Chen Leyang: I originally wanted to become an automotive mechanical engineer

Originally from Vientiane, Chen Leyang had been working in local automotive maintenance and inspection before becoming a teacher at the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College. He had never expected that his life would take a different path under the influence of the Laos-China Railway.

Upon learning about the national recruitment of personnel to China for studying railway knowledge, Chen Leyang eagerly signed up and earned the opportunity to study in China after undergoing layers of selection and assessment.

During his nearly two years of study at Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College, Chen Leyang set a goal for himself: "After returning home, I want to teach all the railway knowledge I have learned to students, become an excellent railway professional teacher, cultivate a continuous stream of railway personnel to better serve the Laos-China Railway, and actively contribute to the development of Laos' railway industry, and contribute to the country's development."

At present, Chen Leyang stands at the lectern of the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College, passing on the valuable knowledge he acquired in China to Laotian students. With his actions, he remains true to his original intention and contributes his strength to the country's development.

Laotian teacher Fang Zhiyong was introducing the teaching equipment.

Fang Zhiyong: Hoping students can use their acquired knowledge to change their lives

At the beginning of the school year, Laotian teachers at the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College felt somewhat at a loss in the face of the new field and environment of railway professional teaching. The lack of relevant experience presented certain challenges during the teaching process.

Fang Zhiyong, a Laotian teacher responsible for the power supply course, admitted, "In the teaching process, I can teach students the knowledge I have acquired, but there are still some areas where I didn't understand yet thorough. Fortunately, the Chinese experts stationed here have been there to provide timely answers for me." He also expressed his expectations for cultivating railway talents, hoping that future students will be able to find suitable jobs through their expertise and use the knowledge they have learned to change their lives.

Luo Haiyun, the expert deployed in Laos, stated, "Through joint efforts with the Laotian teachers, we have successfully developed some power supply-related terminology, addressing the issue of limited railway power supply vocabulary in Laos." Luo Haiyun is confident about the future of railway education in Laos, "With our collective efforts, we will successfully complete the technical assistance task, and the future of Laos' railway will be brighter."he added.

Mr. Syphone sybounhueang, vice dean of the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College

Mr. Syphone sybounhueang: The establishment of the college fills the talent gap in Laos' railway sector

"In the first enrollment plan in 2023, we planned for 360 students, but the number of applicants far exceeded our expectations," said Mr. Syphone sybounhueang, vice dean of the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College. The establishment of the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College is the first railway vocational college in Laos and fills the gap in talent development for the country's railway industry. The high number of applicants beyond the plan has also led to challenges in teaching, such as a shortage of electrical workshop workstations.

In response to this situation, Chinese experts Luo Feng and Wang Tao led Laotian teachers like Fang Zhiyong, Wei Le, and Feng Chengsong to independently design and produce a batch of electrical training equipment, effectively resolving the resource shortage issue.

Meanwhile, Chinese experts Jin Yani, Xie Yile, and Yu Weihong, along with ten Laotian teachers responsible for teaching the "Basic Chinese" course, formed a teaching team. They meticulously crafted various aspects of teaching, from lesson plans and courseware production to pronunciation correction and classroom organization, ensuring that the teaching content is scientifically sound, practical, and emphasizes the integration of theory and practice, to ensure that Laotian students can understand and learn effectively.

With one-on-one guidance from the deployed Chinese teachers, the teachers at the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College gradually mastered the rules of teaching. Through in-depth communication with the experts, the Laotian teachers gained a clearer understanding of course design and teaching methods. This enabled the teaching work to be carried out systematically, laying a solid foundation for cultivating more highly skilled railway professionals.

Teacher Yu Weihong from Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College

Yu Weihong: With great responsibility and a long road ahead, we will continue to work hard

"Our involvement with the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College is just the beginning. The future project of assistance and collaboration in education capacity building and educational technology still requires continuous efforts. Through the joint endeavors of China and Laos, we strive to cultivate qualified technical and skilled personnel for the China-Laos Railway," said Yu Weihong, a teacher deployed by Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College. Along with 15 other teachers dispatched to Laos, she plans to inject the rich experience and knowledge in the field of railways into the Lao education system, creating a solid foundation for nurturing internationally competitive railway talents.

"This collaboration is the first between the Lao Railway Vocational Technical College and Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College. The college is the first school in Laos to offer railway education," stated Mr. Syphone sybounhueang. With the opening of the China-Laos Railway, the people of Laos have the opportunity to witness the railway's construction firsthand, which brings them great joy.

Click here to view Chinese report

(Editors: Rachel, Amy)