The teacher training program for the second Luban Workshop in Kazakhstan concluded at Tianjin Vocational Institute on July 16. Spanning over four weeks, the training highlighted the growing dynamism of educational exchange under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Focused on artificial intelligence, the curriculum was meticulously designed for 15 professional instructors from L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Kazakhstan. Participants studied four core subjects such as data mining, machine learning, deep learning, and industrial internet security. Through hands-on training in AI technology, collaborative robotics, and drone operations, participants seamlessly integrated theoretical knowledge with practical operations. 

The teacher training program for the second Luban Workshop in Kazakhstan winds up at Tianjin Vocational Institute on July 16. [Photo/Tianjin Daily]

Ramazan Sadvakasov, a 28-year-old trainee, expressed his excitement about the experience: “In the collaborative robotics class, we not only learned programming and control, but also completed a full material sorting process ourselves. This practical, hands-on approach to teaching is incredibly useful.”

Another young trainee, Gulden Ulyukova, was particularly impressed by the course on industrial internet security: “China's expertise in data protection offers valuable insights for Kazakhstan. The training content directly addresses what we need for our country’s industrial upgrade.”

The Kazakhstan Luban Workshop project has received high-level attention from both governments since its inception. During last year’s SCO Summit, China and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of cooperation confirming the joint establishment of a second Luban Workshop by Tianjin Vocational Institute and L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence.

Li Guohui, a lecturer from Tianjin Vocational Institute and one of the instructors in the program, built strong bonds with the participants. He remarked, “We designed the training content specifically based on Kazakhstan’s industrial needs. For instance, the drone technology module is tailored to agricultural applications. Participants not only learned flight control but also completed real-world tasks such as farmland mapping.”

He added that the first shipment of teaching equipment for the new Luban Workshop has already arrived in Kazakhstan and will soon be installed and commissioned.