Insights | Luban Workshop fuels dreams of Egyptian youth

The Global Mayors' Dialogue· SCO Summit Cities was held in Tianjin on Monday. During the event, Chinese and international guests visited the Luban Workshop at Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College to learn how the workshop contributes to building a shared vocational education community among SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) member cities.

At just 21 years old, Ibrahim Maher is already making his mark in the world of advanced manufacturing. A graduate of the Advanced Technical School for Maintenance Technology in Cairo, Maher is among the first Egyptian students to study in China under the “3+2” joint education program run by the Luban Workshop.

Thanks to outstanding academic performance, Maher was selected in 2024 to continue his studies in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology at Tianjin Light Industry Vocational Technical College. His decision to join the Luban Workshop was influenced by strong recommendations from teachers and peers back home.

“The Luban Workshop is well-known in Egypt,” Maher said. “It offers access to cutting-edge equipment from China, which really helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.”

Since arriving in China, Maher has immersed himself in a learning environment that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience. Studying alongside Chinese classmates, he says, has fueled a newfound passion and motivation for learning.

“I plan to stay in China for now to deepen my expertise, improve my Chinese, and master new skills,” he said. “Eventually, I hope to return to Egypt and contribute to the development of our vocational education system.”

Established as part of China’s vocational cooperation initiatives with countries along the Belt and Road, the Luban Workshop is playing an increasingly vital role in nurturing global technical talent. For young people like Maher, it represents not just a training platform, but a gateway to a brighter future—where knowledge is transformed into ability, and ambition becomes achievement.

(By Zhao Li and Chen Tianhao)