Thai students study in a master's studio in HVCRT. (Photo/Jiang Yichen) 

"Though I still have some difficulty with the language now, I am confident about learning Chinese," said Boonyawee Sirirat, a Thai youth who has been studying at the Hunan Vocational College of Railway Technology (HVCRT) for three days. When talking about his plan for the following year of study in Hunan, he expected to grasp as much professional knowledge of high-speed railways as he can, and to achieve fluencey in Chinese through daily communication with his Chinese classmates. 

Boonyawee came to China to learn high-speed railway technology under the cooperation framework between HVCRT and Sripatum University (SPU) of Thailand. On October 16, he and other 41 Thai youths, as the fifth batch of SPU students to study in HVCRT, began their studies and life in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province.

According to the joint education program, these Thai students will complete their studies in a "3+1" mode, i.e., study in SPU for three years, and complete 15 core specialty courses in HVCRT, including railway introduction, railway line fault detection, bullet train traction and control system, and railway operation management. During their time at HVCRT, they will also engage in a variety of intensive practical trainings, covering electronic engineering, railway line basis, and railway vehicle inspection and maintenance. 

HVCRT has developed a smart teaching platform for international vocational education in order to help the overseas students to overcome language barriers. This platform uses AI technology to recognize teaching content in Chinese and translate it into 84 foreign languages in real time. Besides, the college has established a study camp on traditional Chinese culture which may enable the overseas students to learn about Chinese calligraphy, opera, costume, and traditional crafts. These initiatives may help the students adapt to their new life in China as soon as possible, and experience the unique charm of Chinese culture.

"The China-Thailand Railway is about to open to traffic. It will facilitate Thailand's economic growth, tourism development, and infrastructure construction. I hope I can equip myself well and commit to the railway related work," said Sureerat Leeprakaiporn, a student from Thailand. As an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Thailand Railway has entered a comprehensive construction stage. It presents the results of the efforts and sweat of the railway personnel of both China and Thailand, and also the 42 Thailand students' determinations and dreams. "I hope I will serve the China-Thailand Railway and bring benefit to the people along the rail."

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Chinanews