KUNMING (China): As the first batch of trainees from Laos for the China-Laos railway is set to complete their training in China in July this year, Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College (KMTDZY) has officially opened its doors to recruit personnel from other Southeast Asia countries including Malaysia.
Due to the rapid development of railways in Southeast Asia, KMDTZY is now starting the recruitment and enrolment drive in the region to meet the demand for technological transfer in Southeast Asian countries.
Duan Yubo, the director of the Educational Affairs Division of KMDTZY said, the recruitment is based on the needs of the respective governments and those selected will undergo short-term instructor training programs in China.
He told Bernama this during a visit by the Southeast Asian media delegation under the “China-Laos Railway Journey” programme from June 16-20. Bernama and Berita Harian were the media representatives from Malaysia invited by the People’s Government of Yunnan Province to experience the five-day four-night railway journey stopping at cities of Kunming, Pu’er and Xishuangbanna.
The said railway technical college was funded and constructed by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, with an investment of approximately 400 million RMB, including campus construction and instructor training in Laos.
In November 2021, a total of 40 individuals aged between 22 and 42 were selected by Laos Ministry of Education and Sports to undergo a 20-month training program in China.
Upon completion of the first phase of training, these trainees will return to Laos in August 2023 and work at various sections of the railway system, paving the way for the development of more railway talents in Laos.
Furthermore, Duan Yubo said the Laos trainees, who will be the instructor in their homeland in the near future, will continue with the learning process after returning home.
“They will continue to receive guidance under tutors sent by KMDTZY to Laos in accordance with the equipment and configurations, and it is expected to take three to five years for them to become qualified full-time tutors at the railway in their homeland,” he said.
Regarding the new enrolment opened for other Southeast Asian countries for the first time, applicants do not need specific academic or professional backgrounds. Interested individuals can download the application form from http://kmtdzy.cn/cooperation/96.aspx and send to ktzydwc@126.com.
After the review and approval process, the college will issue acceptance letters, as well as admission documents such as the Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW202 form) and the admission guidelines, including scholarship applications.
The cross-border passenger services commenced on China-Laos Railway since April 13 this year, serving as a microcosm and model for the joint development of the “Belt and Road” initiative and the promotion of regional economic integration by China and neighboring countries. – BERNAMA
