The National Pedagogical Institute for Technical and Vocational Education (IPNETP) in the Ivory Coast has received a major boost with the inauguration of rehabilitated facilities and advanced training equipment, generously donated by the Republic of Korea.
The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Abidjan, with the Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Apprenticeship, Koffi N’Guessan, emphasizing the country’s ambition to transform IPNETP into a regional centre of excellence.
“The aim is to make IPNETP a high-level institute serving the Ivory Coast and the African region,” Minister N’Guessan said. “I also invite you to take care of this technological treasure and make optimal use of it.”
The contribution, valued at approximately five billion CFA francs, underscores the strong bond of solidarity and cooperation between the Ivory Coast and South Korea.
It provides cutting-edge equipment across four industrial domains: automation, mechanical engineering, automotive mechanics, and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence.
These tools are designed to train highly skilled teachers capable of delivering practical knowledge directly applicable to the country’s productive sectors.
South Korean Ambassador Kim Saeng reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to supporting the development of the Ivory Coast through sustained investment in quality vocational education. “We remain dedicated to fostering sustainable progress by strengthening technical and professional training,” he said.
Professor Edmée Mansilla, Director General of IPNETP, pledged to ensure the equipment is used rigorously and maintained efficiently. “Our goal is to place these resources fully at the service of high-quality technical and professional education,” she stated.
South Korea, renowned for its science and technology-driven education system and industrial expertise, serves as a model of development and innovation.
The Ivory Coast aims to draw inspiration from this example to accelerate its own emergence as a hub for skilled technical professionals in West Africa.
This initiative highlights the growing importance of international collaboration in enhancing vocational education and equipping future educators with the tools needed to drive industrial and technological growth in the region.
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