Tianjin University of Technology and Education (TUTE) is a multidisciplinary university with emphasis on engineering and education, offering 10 postgraduate programs and 36 undergraduate programs.

TUTE is one of China's first polytechnic universities to train advanced technicians and teachers for polytechnic colleges. It mainly cultivates what it calls "integrated" teachers, with bachelor's degrees as well as technician certificates offered in vocational education and to advanced technicians. Presently, the total number of students at TUTE is more than 15,000.

TUTE places great emphasis on international cooperation with institutions all around the world, and in particular, with African institutions. Over the years, the university has established close collaborative relationships with counterparts in more than 30 countries.

Since 2007, with the support of the "20+20 Cooperation Project Among China-Africa Universities," TUTE has run operations for the Ethio-China Polytechnic College (ECPC), Ethiopia's first polytechnic college. Located in Addis Ababa, the country's capital city, ECPC has 19 teachers and administrators on staff, all sent from China to help train teachers in vocational education and award them with bachelor's or master's degrees. Since last February, 1,000 teachers from across Ethiopia have come to ECPC for professional training. Through the school, they are able to receive bachelor's degrees in two years.

In October 2009, TUTE set up the Addis Ababa Confucius Institute (AACI), the first Confucius Institute in Ethiopia. The next month, AACI began formal Chinese-language instruction for 250 full-time students. The course was a compulsory one from ECPC. Alongside daily Chinese teaching assignments for ECPC students, the Confucius Institute has also held various Chinese training programs and colorful cultural exchange activities for locals and government officials in Addis Ababa to promote Chinese language and culture.

At present, there are more than 2,000 students registered at AACI, and more than 10,000 people have participated in all kinds of cultural activities at this institution for Ethio-China cultural communication.

Last year, AACI set up three Chinese teaching centers in three top universities in Ethiopia. These efforts enhance cooperation between the two countries and meet local demands for education in Chinese language and culture.

TUTE is very active in its educational assistance to Africa. A complete system of training and management was specially designed for teachers going to Africa in order to help them adjust to local ways of life. Since 2003, 123 teachers for vocational education have been sent around Ethiopia, Tanzania and other African countries, to the benefit of more than 10,000 students.

TUTE also trains technicians and government officials from developing countries. It has educated over 650 such workers from more than 60 countries and regions around the world since 2003.

In recent years, TUTE has seen a great increase in the number of its international students. In 2006, TUTE started an education program for overseas students equipped with Chinese Government scholarships. Now, students from 21 countries are on campus for long- and short-term studies.

Previously known as the "cradle of China's polytechnic teachers," TUTE is now making contribution to vocational education in many other countries beyond China's borders. Its efforts are strengthening international communication and cooperation between China and the world.