Bildungsforum Asien 2025: German-Asian Forum on Vocational Education & Training

The German-Asian Forum on Vocational Training & Education organised by OAV – German Asia-Pacific Business Association and iMOVE: Training – Made in Germany will bring together high-ranking political decision-makers, education experts and industry leaders to explore the latest trends in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to foster collaboration between German companies and Asian partners. It aims to establish and promote strong and sustainable German-Asian partnerships in the field of education. 

Are you from the German or Asian education sector? Are you or would you like to be active in the Asia-Pacific region with your educational programmes and equipment? Then you should not miss the German-Asian Forum on Vocational Training & Education!

Find the latest updates and news at the bottom of the page.

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Key Highlights:

• Insights into trends and developments in TVET across the Asia-Pacific region and Germany
• Keynote speeches and panel discussions with high-level policymakers, education experts and industry representatives
• Networking opportunities for key leaders in the German and Asian education landscape

Target Audience:
Approx. 80–100 participants, including:

• Representatives of German companies active in vocational training and education
• Political decision-makers from Germany and Asia
• High-level industry representatives

Special Participation: 

We are deeply honored to welcome three distinguished keynote speakers:

• Hon'ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
• Hon'ble Minister of Education and Skills Development of Bhutan
• Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany

We are also excited to receive Ambassadors, Consul Generals, and Representatives from the following countries as our guests:

• Bhutan
• India
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Key Topics Include:

• Strengthening educational cooperation between Germany and Asia
• Challenges and opportunities for German education providers in Asia – Perspectives from industry and policy
• Collaborative Training for specific key sectors: Zorig Chosum, Semiconductor Manufacturing, and building a Future-Ready Workforce
• Digital Up-and Reskilling: How can TVET lead the digital transition
• Making Migration Fair: How both countries can benefit
• Challenges and opportunities for German education providers in Asia – Perspectives from industry and policy

20/03/2025

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka: H.E. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Hon'ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, has confirmed her participation and will be delivering a Keynote.

Panelist Confirmation:

• Tuan Haji Ahmad Solihin Mohamed Yusoff, Chief Executive officer of German-Malaysian Institute (GMI), has confirmed his participation as a panelist.
• Azrina binti Hashim, Director of Industry Talent Management and Expatriate Division, MIDA, has comfirmed her participation as a panelist.
• Kathrin Junken, CEO of Nepal Secretariat of Skills and Training, has confirmed her participation as a panelist.

17/03/2025

Panelist Confimation:

• Florian Huber, Managing Partner EY Academies and Co-Founder of EYCarbon, has confirmed his participation as a panelist.
• Samuel Siahaan, Vice Chair for International Associations, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Chair for Education and Vocational Training at the German Alumni Association (ALJERIN), has confirmed his participation as a panelist.

13/03/2025

Spotlight Confirmation: 

• Christian Oelfke, Head of the Visa Division, Bundesamt für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten (BfAA), has confirmed to deliver a spotlight speech.
• Arunachalam Karthikeyan, Head of iMOVE Office India, has confirmed to deliver a spotlight speech.

10/03/2025

Panelist Confimation: 

• Bigit Thomann, Head of International Vocational Education and Training Department at BIBB, has confirmed her participation as a panelist.
• Dr. Nadar Imani, VP Global Education at Festo Didactic SE, has confirmed his participation as a panelist.
• High-Ranking Representatives from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) have confirmed their participation as panelists.

Moderator Confirmation: 

• Dr. Norbert Völker, CEO of Didacta Association, has confirmed his participation as a moderator. 

05/03/2025

Panelist Confimation: 

• Alok Kumar, CEO of NSDC International has confirmed his participation as a panelist.

Moderator Confirmation: 

• Enrico Rühle, Chairmen of the OAV – Working Group TVET & Chairman of the Advisory Board, FachkräfteWandel e.V., has confirmed his participation as a moderator.

27/02/2025

Minister from Bhutan: H.E. Yeezang De Thapa, Hon'ble Minister of Education and Skills Development of Bhutan, has confirmed her participation as a panelist as well as a Keynote speaker. 

26/02/2025

Panelist Confirmation:

• Tobias Bolle, Director Vocational Education & Training Abroad at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), has confirmed his participation as a panelist.
• Nils Haupt, Senior Director Corporate Communications at Hapag-Lloyd AG, has confirmed his participation as a panelist. 

24/02/2025

Panelist Confirmation: 

• Jan Heinze, Managing Director at Heinze Akademie, has confirmed his participation as a panelist.
• Dr. Daniel Büttner, CEO & Founder of COLCONS, has confirmed his participation as a panelist.

17/02/2025

MIDA Attendance Confirmation: A representative of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has confirmed its attendance.

30/01/2025

Opening Speech by Claudia Müller: The Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has comfirmed to deliver the opening speech.

Indian Delegation: A delegation from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the leadership of Alok Kumar, CEO of  NSDC International, have announced their visit.

Malaysian Delegation: A delegation from Malaysia has expressed interest in participating in the event.

International Interest: A total of six countries have expressed their interest in participating in the event.