NetDragon and Pearson Sign MoU to Integrate AI Education with International Skills Certification
2025-11-05 16:55:47
On October 29, 2025, the 26th China Annual Conference & Expo International Education (CACIE), themed “Bridging Education and Beyond”, was successfully held in Beijing. During CACIE, the BTEC Future Skills Innovation and Development Forum, hosted by Pearson Education, attracted over a hundred guests, including representatives from the UK government, the China Education Association for International Exchange, and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
(From left to right)
Jin Di, Head of Pearson BTEC International Qualifications, China
Geraldine McCafferty, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy in China
Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK and President of Pearson English Language Learning
Chen Changjie, Vice President of NetDragon and Deputy Director of the Institute of Smart Learning, Beijing Normal University
As one of the most influential international education events in the Asia-Pacific region, CACIE brought together education leaders, scholars, and industry representatives from over 60 countries and regions to explore new trends and opportunities in global education.
As one of the key forums of the conference, Pearson focused on the theme “International Standards × Chinese Content”, highlighting BTEC’s thirty years of successful practice in Chinese international schools, vocational colleges, and training institutions, and exploring how skills education can become a new driving force for localized international cooperation and future talent development. Ms. Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK and President of Pearson English Language Learning, emphasized that BTEC’s core philosophy is the seamless integration of academic learning and vocational skills, aiming to cultivate graduates who can immediately create value for industry. She noted that over the past three decades, the BTEC curriculum has been actively integrated into Chinese higher education, innovating and enriching fields such as engineering, arts, and creative disciplines, ensuring compliance with international standards while remaining closely aligned with China’s market needs. Looking ahead, she expressed the hope to deepen this “global standards, local practice” model and, through strong school-enterprise collaboration, jointly nurture innovative skilled talents who can define the future of work.
Two major outcomes were unveiled at the forum, showcasing a model for the “International Standards × Chinese Content” approach. The 2025 Pearson School Report was released in China for the first time, providing in-depth insights into future learning trends and skills demands based on research involving 14,000 students, teachers, and education professionals in the UK. Simultaneously, the BTEC China Arts & Design Showcase was launched, featuring outstanding works from nearly 80 Chinese students and highlighting the localized achievements and creative potential fostered by the BTEC framework in arts education.
At the roundtable forum themed “From Classroom to Career 2030”, NetDragon Vice President Chen Changjie joined Wang Xiaojing, Director of Talent Training and Vocational Skills Education at the UK Department for Business and Trade; Dr. Albert Chau, Vice President of Hong Kong Baptist University; Zhu Chunfeng, China Development and Recognition Manager at the International Baccalaureate (IB); Douglas Woodruff, Principal of Yew Wah International School of Yantai; and Tim Collins, Head of the BTEC Centre and IBCP Coordinator at West Island School, Hong Kong, to engage in a discussion on the future of talent development.
During the forum, Mr. Chen Changjie emphasized: “Future talent will need not only operational skills but also the integrated ability to harness AI and understand industries. The future of vocational education should go beyond ‘learning for application’ to ‘learning while applying’. Schools and enterprises should co-develop open curricula that allow students to grow in real industry scenarios. BTEC provides a common language for global skilled talent, and this collaboration aims to establish a credible international skills education framework that promotes China’s vocational education experience globally while connecting international learners with industrial opportunities in China.”
Chen Changjie, Vice President of NetDragon and Deputy Director of the Institute of Smart Learning, Beijing Normal University
NetDragon plans to leverage its international education platform to integrate globally recognized certification standards with digital courseware developed by its AI Content Factory, creating standardized and modular international skills certification programs. These programs will be promoted across Southeast Asia, Africa, and countries along the Belt and Road, supporting the global expansion of China’s vocational education standards and building a globally competitive education content export system.
Looking ahead, both parties will focus on the BTEC international certification framework to deepen collaboration in fields such as computing and digital technologies. Together, they aim to develop high-quality educational resources that integrate local cultural context with international standards, cultivating highly skilled talent with a global perspective and strong digital competencies. This partnership marks a deep integration between internationally recognized certification systems and China’s digital education platforms, providing a standardized and credible pathway for vocational education to expand globally. With highly aligned goals, both sides will continue to strengthen cooperation in areas including digital content co-development, mutual recognition of international certification standards, teacher training, and industry talent development, jointly building a new education ecosystem defined by “International Standards × Chinese Content”.
About Elernity, NetDragon | Elernity is the education brand of NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKEX: 0777). The company is committed to building a world-leading smart education platform through AI, virtual reality, and digital twin technologies. Its education business spans over 190 countries and regions, serving more than 150 million users worldwide. NetDragon maintains long-term partnerships with UNESCO, ministries of education, and higher education institutions across the globe.
About Pearson | Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) is a global leader in lifelong learning, with businesses covering assessment, qualifications, English language learning, virtual learning, and higher education. Pearson is dedicated to helping people achieve their potential through learning, currently providing digital content, assessments, and education services in nearly 200 countries.