Prayook Srivilai, president of Mahasarakham University, experiences a subway driving simulator firsthand. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 40 students from Thailand will take part in high-speed rail training programs in China this year, following a new cooperation agreement between Tianjin Railway Technical and Vocational College and Mahasarakham University.

According to the agreement, 30 Thai students will arrive in Tianjin in April for a 40-day practical course in rail transit. A further 15 to 25 students are expected to join a joint "2+2" undergraduate program specializing in railway signal automatic control.

The partnership forms part of broader education exchanges between China and Thailand under the Luban Workshop initiative, which promotes vocational training cooperation with countries involved in China's Belt and Road projects.

Since 2018, Tianjin Railway Technical and Vocational College has worked with Thai institutions to share Chinese high-speed rail standards, technologies, and training equipment. Some of the equipment developed by Chinese companies is now used on Thai campuses and has been designated for Thailand's national skills competitions.

Prayook Srivilai, president of Mahasarakham University, said China's experience in modern infrastructure, including high-speed rail, would help strengthen Thailand's talent development and raise academic standards.

"We will precisely align our programs with the urgent demand for localized talent in China-Thailand high-speed rail projects. This partnership will help Thailand achieve a breakthrough in this field's technology and contribute Chinese vocational education strength to the Belt and Road Initiative."

This comprehensive cooperation—ranging from short-term study tours to academic degree education—continues to deepen people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning in education between the two countries.