The MOE has launched a new initiative to foster stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry at the city level, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to workforce development.

The initiative, detailed in the “Notice on Strengthening the Development of City-Level Academia-Industry Alliances,” emphasizes using industrial parks as hubs for aligning educational programs with regional economic needs. The initiative focuses on four key areas: joint curriculum development, talent cultivation, employment opportunities, and collaborative growth.

“This new model of integration will help meet local workforce demand while enhancing economic competitiveness,” according to the Notice. The ministry has also introduced a trial framework with specific standards for evaluating the performance and effectiveness of these partnerships.

Six cities have been selected to pilot these alliances: Taicang in Jiangsu Province, Ningbo and Yiwu in Zhejiang Province, Nanning in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yibin in Sichuan Province, and Changji in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. These locations will serve as models for combining educational resources with industrial needs.

To ensure the success of the initiative, local governments are required to provide substantial organizational, policy, and financial support. The ministry is also encouraging private sector investment to sustain this initiative long-term.

The initiative has been incorporated into regular discussions between the MOE and provincial governments, highlighting its strategic importance in China’s educational and economic development plans.