The 11th Cross-Strait Presidents Joint Conference on Higher Vocational Education was grandly held at Lunghwa University of Science and Technology on April 15, 2024. More than 70 schools from both sides participated, with 30 schools from the mainland sending 65 representatives, including 9 party secretaries, 7 presidents, and 11 vice presidents. 41 schools from Taiwan involved 76 representatives, including 5 chairpersons, 25 presidents, and 11 vice presidents, along with 3 representatives from private associations participating in the discussions. This marked the first large-scale educational exchange between the two sides after the recent Ma-Xi meeting, carrying significant symbolic meaning.

The Cross-Strait Presidents Joint Conference on Higher Vocational Education was proposed in 2013 by the Association of Private Universities and Colleges of Technology and the Higher Vocational Education Research Committee of Jiangsu Higher Education Academy. It aims to facilitate exchanges between presidents and provide a platform for cooperation in vocational education across the strait. This year, hosted by Lunghwa University, it is the first major physical meeting gathering for vocational colleges from both sides in nearly four years, which is quite rare, especially following the recent Ma-Xi meeting.

Lunghwa President Tzu-Hsiang Ko, also the Association of Private Universities and Colleges of Technology Chairman, expressed gratitude during the opening ceremony to the supervisory authorities on both sides for their attention and support for educational exchanges across the strait. He pointed out that due to the shared language and cultural background, academic exchanges between the two sides can effectively promote sharing experiences and mutual learning. Through this forum, innovation in higher education across the strait can be enhanced, and friendships can be strengthened to explore various cooperative opportunities.

Ching-ji Wu, Honorary Chairman of the Cross-Strait Modern Vocational Education Association and the President of the Taiwan University of Education expressed hopes that through the exchanges at this conference, both sides can explore how to strengthen cooperation and exchange among universities through practical exploration, including joint research projects and teaching cooperation projects, to promote cooperation and sharing in talent cultivation and research innovation, establishing closer bilateral cooperation and bringing more opportunities and challenges for the future of both sides across the strait, ultimately achieving a win-win development.

This year’s forum theme is “The Development Direction of Higher Vocational Education in the Digital Age.” Two mainland school secretaries and four presidents delivered keynote speeches on school management concepts. Additionally, two principal forums were held, with a total of 12 presidents from both sides sharing relevant practical experiences, fostering deepened exchanges among attendees in a very enthusiastic atmosphere.