International students participate in a job fair at Nantong Vocational University on May 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Nantong Vocational University in East China's Jiangsu province hosted a job fair on May 22, aiming to connect local international trade enterprises with talented professionals around the world.

Over 300 international students from more than 30 countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Russia, engaged in face-to-face discussions with representatives of more than 30 local enterprises, such as Nantong Sinfo Food.

Sinfo Food, which specializes in the production and sales of processed seaweed products, plans to establish production plants in other countries. To support this expansion, it urgently needs international talents who understand both the market and languages.

A student from Pakistan makes a presentation during the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The international students we met today are not only professionally competent but also familiar with their home countries' market environments and business rules, making them the versatile talents we urgently need," said Yin Genqun, general manager of Sinfo Food. Within just half an hour, the company reached preliminary internship agreements with several students, addressing their urgent staffing needs.

Meanwhile, many international students showcased their professional skills and cross-cultural communication abilities through personal presentations. "The positions offered by the enterprises I spoke with today align well with my career plans," said Chongkoua Herlee from Laos. "I cherish this opportunity and hope to serve as a cultural bridge, becoming an ambassador for friendly exchanges between China and Laos."

Participants of the event pose for a group photo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As a vocational institution rooted in Nantong and serving the local community, Nantong Vocational University currently hosts 305 international students from 15 countries. Since 2016, the university has trained nearly 1,000 students from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The university has also innovated cooperative training models, establishing the Jiangsu-Namibia Zheng He Academy, with nearly half of its graduates working in local Chinese enterprises. It has also co-founded the China-Vietnam Craftsman College with Luxshare Precision, with the first batch of 35 Vietnamese students all employed at Luxshare's Vietnam factory.

Chen Bei, dean of the School of International Cooperation and Education at Nantong Vocational University, said that in the future, a group of international talents who are "fluent in languages, adept in cultures and proficient in their professions" is expected to support the overseas expansion and localized operations of Nantong's foreign trade enterprises.