From December 5 to 8, the 1st Boao Vocational Education Development Conference 2025 and International Industry-Education Integration Expo (hereinafter referred to as the “Conference”) was held at the Boao Forum for Asia International Conference Center in Qionghai, Hainan. Under the theme “High-Level International Cooperation, High-Quality Industry-Education Integration”, the Conference featured 30 parallel forums alongside skills competitions, achievement exhibitions, and other events. It attracted active participation from over a hundred Chinese and foreign vocational colleges, universities of applied sciences, industry associations, international organizations, and leading enterprises, including delegations from more than 20 “Belt and Road” partner countries.

SUCC was represented at the Conference by President Zhang Zhengrong, along with heads of the International Exchange Office, Planning Management and Quality Assessment Office, School of Application of Artificial Intelligence, and School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. During the event, SUCC received the award of “Typical Institution for International Exchange and Cooperation in Vocational Education” and was recognized as an Excellent Organizing Institution. Zhang Zhengrong, President of SUCC, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award for International Exchange and Cooperation in Vocational Education. Additionally, SUCC’s international exchange and cooperation case was selected as an Excellent Case of International Cooperation and Communication in Vocational Education in 2025. Our promotional display on international exchange drew the attention of more than 1,000 attendees.

The Conference also released the list of “2025 Asia-Pacific Influence Index Star-rated Vocational Colleges”, in which SUCC was rated as a three-star College. The list was issued by the “International Vocational Education Research and Evaluation Index Group”, which is jointly initiated and established by international vocational education research and evaluation bodies, media organizations, and experts and scholars. Based on international Internet and big data analysis, the Group developed an evaluation system for assessing the influence of vocational colleges across the Asia-Pacific region. The final influence index of Asia-Pacific vocational colleges was determined through expert review and analysis of data from the official websites, annual quality reports, and submitted materials of colleges. Evaluation indicators covered multiple dimensions, including international education cooperation and exchange, international student mobility, professional development of teachers, institutional distinctiveness and innovation, international service teams, development of professional teaching standards and resource export, educational support and contribution, academic influence, international competitions and exhibitions, industry-education cooperation outcomes, education evaluation and student development, and big data of international Internet. This marks the third consecutive year (following 2023 and 2024) that SUCC has been included in this ranking, reflecting strong recognition of our internationalization capabilities.

Throughout the Conference, SUCC’s delegation engaged in in-depth exchanges and resource-sharing discussions with other participants, which provided valuable insights and experience to enhance industry-institution collaboration, promote high-quality development of industry-education integration, and cultivate highly skilled talents with global perspectives. The participation also helped identify new opportunities and resources for advancing SUCC’s international exchange initiatives in the coming year.

Guided by the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation, China NGO Network for International Exchanges, and the UNESCO Chairs Council on Industry-University Cooperation, the Conference was co-hosted by the Organizing Committee of Boao Vocational Education Development Conference and the development committee related to China-Europe “Belt and Road” Initiative. Attendees included leaders from domestic and international education authorities, presidents and key teachers of vocational colleges, corporate executives, industry experts, and leaders from international organizations, intangible cultural heritage and cultural creative sectors, and skills sectors.