On September 23, a delegation from Federation University Australia, led by Evan Malles, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Innovation and Executive Dean of the Institute of Innovation, Science, and Sustainability, visited Shenzhen Polytechnic University (SZPU). Federation University is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, renowned for its excellence in vocational education, scientific research, and innovation, particularly in integrating industry, education, and research. It is also one of SZPU's longest-standing international partners.

In the morning, the delegation toured SZPU’s School of Telecommunications, School of Automotive Engineering, School of Mechatronics, and College of Future Technology, gaining an in-depth understanding of the teaching facilities and resources. Evan Malles expressed his admiration for the university’s state-of-the-art training labs and its innovative approach to vocational education, noting that SZPU provides an excellent platform for students to develop practical skills.

In the afternoon, SZPU Party Committee member and Dean of the School of Mechatronics, Liang Zhaofeng, hosted a meeting with the Federation University delegation. Also in attendance were Wang Bingfeng, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation, Zhu Xiaochun, Vice Dean of the School of Automotive Engineering, Zhang Dongjun, Vice Dean of the College of Future Technology, and Chen Yana, a project specialist from the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as Shenzhen’s Digital Workshop initiative, industry-education integration, and university-enterprise collaboration. Liang Zhaofeng provided an overview of SZPU’s development, while Evan Malles shared insights on aligning vocational education with societal development, designing curricula to meet market demands, enhancing faculty capabilities, and deepening industry-education integration, with a particular focus on empowering innovation and entrepreneurship.

During the meeting, Evan Malles emphasized the desire to strengthen the partnership between Federation University and SZPU, expressing admiration for SZPU's leadership in many areas. He suggested that the two universities explore deeper cooperation in vocational education, research, standards-setting, and innovation, working together to promote the internationalization of vocational education and achieve shared goals. Wang Bingfeng concluded the session by praising the success of the visit and discussions, expressing optimism about the collaborative potential in establishing Shenzhen’s Digital Workshop initiative.

This exchange not only deepened mutual understanding but also laid a solid foundation for future international cooperation in vocational education. It will help promote further collaboration between the two institutions in the areas of industry-education integration and innovation-driven education.

 (Written by Chen Yana, Office of International Exchange and Cooperation)