Fourth ‘Skill Panda’ Contest cements the next generation of Lancang-Mekong railway experts

The fourth “Skill Panda” International Skills Competition concluded on Dec. 25 in Chengdu, marking a significant step forward in vocational education and technical cooperation between China and Laos.
The event, hosted by Chengdu Industrial and Trade Technical College, focused on cultivating the next generation of technicians and “future craftsmen” essential for the operation and maintenance of the Laos-China Railway.
The competition featured a unique, innovative format where students from both nations were paired together in “mixed Chinese-Lao teams.” These teams were tasked with solving complex, real-world technical challenges, including the installation and debugging of rail transit electrical control circuits, simulated driving, and emergency fault handling.
By requiring students from different backgrounds to work together, the competition aimed to simulate the collaborative environment necessary for the international rail transit industry.
Organised in partnership with the Laos Railway Technical College and the LAMG-China Education and Training Promotion Alliance (LCETPA), the event operated under the theme: “Promoting Learning, Development, and Exchange through Competition: Cultivating Future Craftsmen for the China-Laos Railway.”
Beyond the contests, the event served as a platform for faculty and students to exchange technical expertise and shared experiences in rail technology.
This year’s competition marks a broadening of the relationship between the participating institutions. Officials stated that the event has established a practical foundation for ongoing collaboration, including joint curriculum development and future faculty exchange programmes.
The success of the fourth “Skill Panda” competition signifies that cooperation within the Lancang-Mekong region has entered a new stage, focusing specifically on the high-level technical talent required to sustain the region’s growing rail infrastructure.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 2, 2026)