The first World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Tianjin Municipal People's Government, was held in Tianjin from August 19 to 20. Prof. Gong Ke, Director of the Academic Committee of Nankai University, former Chairman of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and Executive President of Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, was invited to give a keynote speech at the "Artificial Intelligence + Innovative Development of Vocational Education" forum held on the afternoon of August 20. 

As one of the 14 parallel forums of the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, this forum, which was organized by the Ministry of Education’s Center for Scientific Research and Development in Higher Education Institutes, aims to serve as a platform for brainstorming and exchange of ideas for the innovative development of AI-empowered vocational education, and boost the coordinated development of vocational education in the world. Luo Fangshu, Director of the Ministry of Education’s Center for Scientific Research and Development in Higher Education Institutes, attended the forum and delivered a speech. 

Professor Gong Ke gave a speech entitled "Digital Transformation of Vocational Education". In the speech, he analyzed the reasons for the digital transformation of education, put forward the content and paths of digital transformation, and analyzed the technical and ethical basis for as well as challenges in artificial intelligence technology application in conjunction with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He pointed out that the digital transformation of vocational education needs responsible teachers with professional knowledge, and consideration should be given to the reform of content, methods and pattern of vocational education.

More than 700 delegates from 123 countries and regions attended the conference online and offline. The conference adopted the Tianjin Initiative, which calls on the world to foster global pragmatic cooperation in vocational education and contribute to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. 

(Edited and translated by Nankai News Team)