Vientiane:The Lao-German Technical College has officially unveiled the signboard for its second campus located in Xiengda Village, Xaysettha District. The event took place on October 21 and represents a significant step forward in the advancement of technical and vocational education within the Lao PDR.
According to Lao News Agency, the ceremony was led by Mr. Saisamone Ngamsy, Acting Head of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education under the Ministry of Education and Sports, alongside Mr. Souliya Paxay, Director of the Lao-German Technical College. It was attended by members of the college board, representatives from technical, agricultural, and vocational colleges across Khammouane, Bolikhamxay, and Vientiane provinces, as well as technical staff and students.
Mr. Souliya addressed the ceremony, highlighting the development progress of the college's two campuses. The main campus, located in Vatnak Village, Sisattanak District, spans 26,180 square meters, whereas Campus 2, situated in Xiengda Village, covers 20,000 square meters. Campus 2, established in 2015 with support from a £1.1 million grant from the German Development Bank (KfW) and 15 billion kip from the Lao Government, is designed to support programmes in heavy and agricultural machinery.
The campus includes workshops for machinery, a two-storey classroom building, a workshop for private sector collaboration, and dormitories for up to 300 students. The college employs 73 staff members, including 64 teachers, and enrolls 1,687 students, with 69 female students. This year, 986 students began their first year, with 908 in long-term and 78 in short-term courses.
The heavy and agricultural machinery departments consist of six teaching staff and 234 students, including 130 first-year students. Although Campus 2 began classes upon construction completion, budget constraints delayed the administrative arrangements and the installation of the signboard. Funding was later allocated to finalize the signboard, leading to the campus's formal inauguration.
The inauguration ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting and the traditional gong striking, symbolizing prosperity and unity for the college. The development of Campus 2 is anticipated to enhance the college's capability in delivering specialized technical training, preparing skilled workers for the Lao labor market.