The Ministry of Higher Education of Cameroon (MINESUP) and China First Highway Engineering Co., Ltd (CFHEC) have joined forces to support the professionalization of teaching in the country as well as enhancing the employability of graduates. This, thanks to the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between both parties. This was during a ceremony that took place on January 13, 2026 at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé.
Signed by Minister of State Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo and CFHEC Technical General Manager Zhao Zongzhi, the agreement boost graduate employability through capacity building and professional skill certification for students and young graduates in trades related to large-scale infrastructure construction. The event took place in the presence of members of the Government, the representative of the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cameroon, Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of State Universities, senior officials from MINESUP central services, Directors of Higher Education Institutions, and students.
The cornerstone of the collaboration is the “Double Qualification” model, which allows students to earn an internationally recognized CFHEC professional certification alongside their university degree. To ensure graduates are immediately ready for the Job market, the partnership adopts a 70/20/10 pedagogical framework. This system prioritizes practical experience, dedicating 70% of training to real-world immersion on construction sites, 20% to professional mentoring, and 10% to theoretical coursework, specifically targeting skills in large-scale infrastructure construction.
About CFHEC
As a reminder, CFHEC is a major Chinese corporation with over 25,000 employees operating in more than 20 countries worldwide. It specializes in transport infrastructure, including highways, railways, and urban transport projects. In Cameroon, the company is involved in several key projects, most notably the construction of the Yaoundé-Douala Phase 1 highway and the Yaoundé-Nsimalen highway.
Through this partnership with MINESUP, CFHEC seeks to fulfill its corporate social responsibility by contributing to skill development and the training of a national workforce essential for the execution of major infrastructure projects in Cameroon and the sub-region.
