Staff Reporter
TEAM NAMIBIA has joined 1,400 young competitors from around the world at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 opening ceremony, marking the start of the global skills competition before showcasing Namibia’s cultural diversity through a special exchange with a Shanghai school.
The competitors entered the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center amid cheers and displays of national flags before beginning their test projects.
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 brings together competitors from around the world to showcase their skills, with 64 skills being contested over four days at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC).
Photos: WorldSkills Shanghai 2026/WorldSkills Namibia
Seven skills are making their debut at this year’s competition: Dental Prosthetics, Digital Media Interactive Design, Intelligent Security Technology, Rail Vehicle Technology, Retail Sales, Software Testing and Unmanned Aerial Systems.
As part of the One School One Member (OSOM) Programme, Team Namibia also took part in a cultural exchange with Shanghai Experimental School.
The programme connects WorldSkills member countries with local schools to promote skills, career awareness, cultural understanding and international friendships.
The exchange began with welcoming remarks by Shanghai Experimental School Headmaster Chen Xing Ye, followed by cultural performances by the school and Team Namibia.
Dressed in traditional attire representing Namibia’s diverse communities, Team Namibia showcased Namibian culture through performances and presentations.
The programme also included a gift exchange between Team Namibia and Shanghai Experimental School, symbolising friendship and cultural connection, followed by a Chinese Cultural Heritage Experience.
WorldSkills International CEO David Hoey said the competition demonstrated the unifying power of skills, with competitors from around the world working towards excellence while promoting a more secure and sustainable future.
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 provides Team Namibia with an opportunity to compete on the global stage while engaging in cultural exchange with participants and communities in China.
