On June 11, the opening ceremony for the 2025 Thai Railway Students was held at Lieneng Hall, Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology. The event was attended by 14 international students from three Thai colleges-Banphai Industrial and Community Education College, Hatyai Technical College, and Nakhon Lampang Technical College-along with faculty representatives from these colleges and leaders from departments and schools of Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology.

Distinguished guests at the ceremony included Mr. Yu Lei, Officer of Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges of Department of Education of Hubei Province; Mr. Khajondech Mitudom, Deputy Director of Banphai Industrial and Community Education College; and Mr. Peng Kaiqin, Vice President of Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology. The opening ceremony was hosted by Mr. Fu Xiang, Dean of the School of International Education.

In his welcome address, Vice President Peng Kaiqin warmly greeted the Thai students and representatives from the partner colleges. He emphasized that the arrival of the 2025 Thai railway students at Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology is a significant milestone-not only as a result of sustained and pragmatic cooperation between Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology and the three Thai colleges, but also as a concrete response to the visit by POL.GENERAL PERMPOON CHIDCHOB, the Thai Minister of Education, in May, 2025. During his visit, POL.GENERAL PERMPOON CHIDCHOB expressed strong support for the joint training of railway professionals between China and Thailand. Vice President Peng encouraged the Thai students to cherish this study opportunity in Wuhan, to learn the Chinese language well, master professional skills, experience Chinese culture, and successfully complete their studies.

Speaking on behalf of the Department of Education of Hubei Province, Mr. Yu Lei extended a warm welcome to the Thai students and faculty. He highlighted Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology’s active engagement with the Belt and Road Initiative and its efforts to expand international exchange and cooperation. He noted that the China-Thailand joint high-speed rail talent training project has become a model for collaboration between Chinese and ASEAN vocational colleges. In the broader context of vocational education going global and serving international industrial capacity cooperation, the Department of Education of Hubei Province will continue to fully support collaborative programs between Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology and Thai vocational colleges. This partnership aims to deepen and solidify China-Thai vocational education cooperation, provide high-quality human resources for the sustainable development of both nations, and strengthen people-to-people ties between China and Thailand.

Representing the three visiting Thai colleges, Mr. Khajondech Mitudom expressed his appreciation for Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology’s thoughtful academic and living arrangements for Thai students. He encouraged the students to make the most of this valuable opportunity in China and contribute to the advancement of Thailand’s railway industry.

Over the next eight months, the 2025 Thai railway students will undergo coursework and hands-on training at Wuhan Railway Vocational College of Technology. The program integrates Chinese language+professional skills+cultural experience to comprehensively enhance students’ Chinese proficiency, technical capabilities, and understanding of Chinese culture. This program is part of broader efforts to advance vocational education cooperation between China and Thailand.