German-Asian Forum on Technical and Vocational Education and Training 2026
Following our successful event in 2025 with distinguished delegations and high-level experts from Germany and Asia, we are pleased to announce the German-Asian Forum on Technical and Vocational Education and Training 2026, organised by OAV – German Asia-Pacific Business Association and iMOVE: Training – Made in Germany.
The Forum will explore the latest trends and innovations in TVET, showcase successful German-Asian cooperation, and provide opportunities to establish new partnerships between public and private stakeholders.
- Date: 27 March 2026, 08:00 am – 16:00 pm
- Location: Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Germany
Forum Highlights:
- Keynote speeches, panel discussions, breakout session, and networking opportunities
- Focus on strengthening sustainable German-Asian partnerships, fostering skill mobility, and promoting international collaboration in education and training
- Networking opportunities with key leaders in the German and Asian education landscape
Key Topics:
- The importance of German vocational training in Asia.
- Synergies of Development Cooperation and VET Export
- German Training Sector supports Fair Labour Migration
- Skilled Labour Acquisition on a Global Scale – Current Trends in HR Management
Participation Opportunities:
Engage as a sponsor, exhibitor, and panel participant, or join with your delegation.
Contact OAV for more information on participation and sponsorship opportunities.
Registration
Further information, expecially regarding the ticketing process, is available under the registration link.
register now for the German-Asian Forum on Vocational Education & Training
Event Schedule
► Latest update: 19 March 2026
08.00 hrs
Registration & Welcome Coffee
Reception at the Foyer of the Forum
09.00 hrs
Welcome and Opening
Speakers
- Dr. Arnd Nenstiel, Chairman, OAV - German Asia-Pacific Business Association
- Kristine Faenger, Head of iMOVE
MC: Louisa de Fallois, Moderator
09.15 hrs
Opening Keynotes
- La Vibol, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, Cambodia - via video
- Birgit Thomann, Head of International Vocational Education and Training, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training
09.45 hrs
Short Coffee Break
10.00 hrs
Is German VET Losing Ground in Asia? Strengthening Industry-Education-Policy Partnerships
Panel discussion
Panelists
- Patricia Flor, Ambassador, Embassy of Germany in China
- Andreas Dick, Member of the Board Production & Logistics, Škoda Auto
- Brigitte Hanemann, Global Business Development Expert, TÜV SÜD Akademie
- Fathi Jamal, Export Manager, Dr.-Ing. Paul Christiani GmbH & Co. KG.
Moderator: Enrico Rühle, CEO, Smart Future Campus & Chairman, OAV Working Group TVET
11.00 hrs
Can it be that simple? – A Case Study of fair Labour Migration from India
Panel discussion
Panelists
- Matthias Meyer, CEO, AKN Eisenbahn GmbH
- Arunachalam Karthikeyan, Head of the iMOVE Office India, iMOVE
- Philipp Hartmann, CEO, HonestPassion Global
- Ren Sebastian Kattiparambil Kunjappan, Train driver trainee, AKN Eisenbahn GmbH
Moderator: Silvia Niediek, Regional Manager, iMOVE
12.00 hrs
Lunchbreak, Networking & Marketplace
At Börsensaal, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
13.30 hrs
WE-Fair: How the private sector and development cooperation partner for fair skilled labour migration
Spotlight
Speaker: Dr. Merle Kreibaum, Senior Policy Officer, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
13.40 hrs
Synergies or Competition? Maximising Opportunities for German VET with Development Cooperation in Asia-Pacific
Panel discussion
Panelists
- Nadja Schneider, Public Affairs Manager, Lucas Nuelle GmbH
- Mark Carlos Tito G. Gumapon, Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Advocacy, Don Bosco - One TVET Philippines Inc.
- Afsana Rezaie, Deputy Programme Director, TVET Reform Programme Viet Nam, GIZ GmbH
- Dr. Susanne Franke, Corporate Cooperation, Don Bosco Mondo e.V.
Moderator: Sören Konaretzki, Regional Manager ASEAN, OAV
Parallel Event
13.30 – 14.40 hrs
Talent Pool India – Roundtable with Indian Institutions seeking Partners from Germany
Breakout Session at Merkur Zimmer, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
- Arun Kumar Pillai, CEO, NSDC International
- Dr. Sudheer Tiwari, Member of Advisory Council, Europe Careers
Moderator: Arunachalam Karthikeyan, Head of the iMOVE Office India
14.40 hrs
Spotlight
14.50 - 15:50 hrs
Global Talents at Stake: How can Education and HR work together to make Industry competitive?
Panel discussion
Panelists
- Fiona Thu, Partner, JP Contagi Vietnam
- Gyvinneh Koh, CEO, German Educare
- Jannik Heckenhahn, Head of Business Consulting & Global Talent, ICUnet Group
Moderator: Janina Habla, Managing Partner, EY Tax Germany
From 16.00 hrs
Conclusion with Networking & Coffee
Speaker
