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Overview of Talent Development
Quanzhou has 17 universities and vocational schools offering programmes in Chinese and Western culinary arts, pastry-making, food processing technology, and food safety testing. These programmes span 32 specialised tracks, collectively enrolling more than 6,300 students.
Three institutions—Quanzhou Normal University, Minnan Institute of Science and Technology, and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University's Anxi College of Tea Science—offer bachelor's degree programmes. Additionally, two higher vocational colleges, Liming Vocational University and Quanzhou Light Industry Vocational College, have developed seven programme tracks. Meanwhile, 12 secondary vocational schools, including Nan'an Hongxing Vocational School, provide 22 related programmes, and five technical schools offer culinary training, enrolling over 980 students. Annually, these institutions produce more than 2,300 graduates.
To enhance culinary talent development, a "3+2" joint training programme integrates university and vocational education. For instance, Liming Vocational University collaborates with Jinjiang Jinxing Vocational School and Fujian Economic and Trade School on a five-year integrated food processing technology programme. Similarly, Quanzhou Light Industry Vocational College partners with Zhangzhou Longhai Vocational and Technical School for Western culinary arts and with Dongshan Island Vocational School for Chinese culinary arts programmes.
Integration of Industry and Education
Quanzhou has prioritised integrating education and industry through close collaboration with enterprises. Huaqiao University participates as a deputy council member in the National Modern Catering Industry Community. Likewise, Liming Vocational University and Quanzhou Light Industry Vocational College actively contribute as executive council members of the China Food Industry Community and Fujian Food Vocational Education Group.
The "Quanzhou Food Vocational Education Group," comprising 67 members—including government bodies, industry associations, educational institutions, and enterprises—was established to optimise resources and align education with industry demands. Through collaborative efforts, the group fosters the development of highly skilled professionals. For example, Nan'an Hongxing Vocational School partnered with Hilton Group China to design bespoke training programmes. Similarly, Quanzhou Light Industry Vocational College and Shishi Rongyu Industrial Development Co. established the Rongyu Chef Industry Academy, recognised as a provincial-level industrial academy.
Future Policies for Culinary Talent Development
Enhancing Culinary Talent Development:
1. Programme Expansion:
Introduce culinary-related disciplines in the 2025 university programme guidance directory. Newly established programmes will receive a grant of CNY 200,000 each.
Encourage universities to add culinary specialisations within food processing programmes, with a goal to establish such specialisations in at least four universities by 2027.
2. New Institutions:
Support the creation of culinary and food-related programmes at Quanzhou Technical College, targeting enrolment in the autumn semester of 2025.
3. Increased Enrolment:
Expand student numbers in culinary programmes to exceed 3,000 across higher education and vocational schools by 2027.
4. Industry-Academia Collaboration:
Foster collaborations between universities and enterprises to create industrial academies. National-level academies will receive a one-time subsidy of CNY 2 million, provincial-level academies CNY 1 million, and municipal-level academies CNY 500,000.
5. Specialised Clusters:
Develop at least four municipal-level food and culinary specialised clusters and one high-level provincial programme cluster.
Strengthening the "Dual-Qualified" Faculty Team:
1.Industry Expertise:
Engage experienced chefs, culinary experts, and senior food industry managers in teaching, research, and project development through part-time appointments.
2.Faculty Resource Pool:
Establish a dual-qualified faculty pool in Quanzhou to facilitate collaboration between schools and enterprises.
3.Recognition and Incentives:
Introduce joint courses and reward educators recognised for excellence in dual-qualified teaching and hands-on training.