VIENTIANE, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Lao government signed agreements on Tuesday for grant and loan assistance totaling 64.9 million U.S. dollars to improve education quality and ensure that graduates have sufficient skills to meet labor market demands.
The agreements were signed by Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, Lao Vice Minister of Finance and Steven Schipani, Officer-In-Charge, ADB Laos Resident Mission, according to a press release.
The projects focus on improving the country's higher education system and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs to produce graduates with job-ready skills. It will strengthen the links between higher education services and socio-economic needs by improving education quality, enhancing access to higher education programs, and strengthening governance and management of higher education institutions.
It will also continue to strengthen TVET programs by upgrading teaching and learning environments at eight vocational colleges, and strengthening teacher competencies to deliver high-value skills training. It will also improve college management and engage private enterprises to ensure that training is tailored to local industry's needs, according to the press release.
