The Shanghai Institute of Technology and Souphanouvong University in Laos jointly established the Sino-Laos Engineering College on Sept 25. This new institution aims to cultivate urgently-needed talents in railway engineering for the Lancang-Mekong region and ASEAN countries.

The college will offer customized courses. The Shanghai Institute of Technology will dispatch teachers to Souphanouvong University to cultivate local talents proficient in railway technology and familiar with the local language and culture.

President Vira Anolac of Souphanouvong University reflected that over 30 students from Laos had already been sent to study in Shanghai, becoming the country's first senior railway technical experts. Today, the Lao students trained in Shanghai are actively contributing to various sectors of the China-Laos Railway's operation.

Wang Xiaofan, president of the Shanghai Institute of Technology, emphasized the importance of the new college in fostering international cooperation. The university plans to collaborate with various industry enterprises and institutions from China and Laos to create a benchmark for international educational cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Since 2017, the two universities have been collaborating on railway engineering education. They worked together to train Laotian engineers to work for China-Laos Railway Co, which is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the China-Laos Railway. The railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, has significantly increased employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for residents along the line since it started operating in 2021.