China–ASEAN Education Week Highlights Strategic Collaboration in Digital Skills

Regional Leaders Convene to Promote AI and 5G-Driven Talent Development

As regional economies increasingly embrace digital transformation, the intersection of education and industry has emerged as a strategic priority for cross-border collaboration. On 26 July, a seminar titled “Digital Intelligence Innovation Empowers International Industry–Education Integration 2025” was convened at the permanent venue of the China–ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, highlighting the pivotal role of digital innovation in shaping future-ready education systems.

The event brought together policymakers, educators, and industry leaders from China and ASEAN nations, who collectively explored new avenues for international cooperation. Discussions focused on harnessing digital technologies to strengthen industry–education integration, advance skills development, and foster inclusive regional growth. During the seminar, Bai Zhen, Deputy Director of the Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, emphasised the geographical and cultural proximity between China and ASEAN. He advocated for the strategic use of digital platforms, such as the China–ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, to deepen industry–academia ties and enhance regional educational collaboration.

Similarly, Oum Romany, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports, underscored the transformative impact of AI and big data on both education and industry. He outlined three guiding principles: bridging skills gaps through digital tools, cultivating practice-ready talent via university–industry partnerships, and driving pedagogical innovation. He further cited Cambodian examples to illustrate how technology can effectively connect academic theory with practical application.

Adding an enterprise perspective, Li Zhicheng, Deputy General Manager of China Mobile Guizhou, noted that the company was deploying 5G, AI, cloud computing, and big data to support educational innovation, enrich China–ASEAN cultural exchange, and stimulate regional economic development through integrated industry–academia efforts. A key milestone of the seminar was the launch of the China–ASEAN International Skills Talent Cultivation Programme, which introduced new university–enterprise partnerships, including collaborations between Guizhou institutions and firms such as Vietnam’s Forward Tire Company. The seminar reaffirmed the shared commitment of China and ASEAN nations to harness digital intelligence as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive educational transformation.

Editor’s Note:

The “Digital Intelligence Innovation Empowers International Industry–Education Integration 2025” seminar, held on 26 July as part of the China–ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, marked a significant stride in advancing cross-border collaboration in education and industry. As regional economies accelerate their digital transitions, this event rightly focused on how innovation and digital intelligence can redefine the future of learning, skill development, and economic resilience. The seminar highlighted the consensus among policymakers, educators, and industry leaders that digital transformation is crucial. It provided a forum to discuss how AI, big data, 5G, and cloud computing can bridge skills gaps, develop adaptable talent, and reshape education. The event also fostered partnerships, such as the China–ASEAN International Skills Talent Cultivation Programme, connecting Guizhou institutions with ASEAN businesses like Vietnam's Forward Tire Company. The seminar fostered strategic alignment, encouraged the sharing of success stories, and secured commitments to action among attendees.

Skoobuzz emphasises that the seminar's focus on regional collaboration, integrating universities with enterprises, and culturally relevant innovation presents a promising approach for digital intelligence to fuel economic growth and equitable education across regions.