2024 BeiDou "Belt and Road" International Training Workshop Concludes in Beijing

On September 13, the 2024 BeiDou "Belt and Road" International Training Workshop successfully concluded in Beijing. This event, focused on the BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, aimed to provide training on navigation and positioning technologies for international participants, foster talent development, and promote global cooperation in BeiDou technology and industry. The program further supports the global outreach of BeiDou services, particularly among Belt and Road countries.

The program attracted 21 participants from 13 countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan, Mongolia, Tunisia, Nepal, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, Nigeria, Benin, Eritrea, and China. Over two weeks, participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum that blended expert-led lectures, field visits, and interactive exchanges. Key topics covered included the construction and development of the BeiDou system, its applications, commercialization, and related innovations. 

The course featured 11 specialized lectures, such as "Overview of Global Satellite Navigation Systems," "BDS/GNSS Applications in China's Aviation Industry," and "Unique BeiDou System Services." In a first for the program, three companies were invited to the training site to share successful case studies and experiences from their work in Belt and Road countries. 

The interactive component of the program offered participants a unique combination of learning and cultural immersion. A China cultural exploration activity was organized, during which participants used BeiDou-enabled smart wearable devices to experience real-time positioning and navigation services in an outdoor setting. They also had the opportunity to experience China’s diverse culture firsthand.

Over the course of 12 days, participants gained a deep understanding of the latest developments in navigation and positioning technologies, especially those centered around the BeiDou Satellite Navigation System. They also learned about its applications across various industries and realized the scientific and economic value of BeiDou technology. ADAMAU BALA from Nigeria shared his plans to incorporate BeiDou technology into his research projects and promote its adoption in his home country.

During the training program, Mohammed Mamman Kabir, Head of the Africa Region for the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), visited the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR). He expressed his enthusiasm for future scientific and academic exchanges between AIR and African institutions and extended an invitation for AIR to host similar events in Africa.

MOHAMED RAJHI from Tunisia expressed his interest in introducing BeiDou applications in precision agriculture to his country, while participants from Mongolia, Pakistan, and Benin highlighted their hopes of hosting similar BeiDou-related training workshops in their home nations to further promote the system's products and services.

Since its inception in 2017, the BeiDou "Belt and Road" International Training Program has trained over 1,000 participants from more than 60 countries along the Belt and Road. Through continuous collaboration and exchanges with talents from both China and abroad, the program has become a vital platform for sharing BeiDou-based satellite navigation and positioning technologies with Belt and Road countries. It plays an important role in promoting international cooperation, enhancing BeiDou’s global reach, and advancing the development philosophy of "China's BeiDou goes global".

The trainees conduct an outdoor BeiDou navigation application practice while climbing the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.