North China's Tianjin Engineering Normal College has set up the country's first African Vocational Education Research Center to promote teaching aid in Africa and training programs for African countries, according to sources with the college.

The main tasks of the center will be research, analysis and translation of various materials related to vocational education in African countries. The center will also launch various teaching and training courses.

The center will also undertake research projects entrusted by various ministries and commissions of the country in the fields of politics, economy, society and vocational education concerning African countries.

The center will launch projects to probe into the market demands for various professionals in the African countries and work out relevant training programs and courses for African students and trainees.

To date, the Tianjin Engineering Normal College has trained more than 200 technical and administrative personnel for African countries.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2005)