XJTLU's Taicang campus bridges education and industry

XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

As Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, its Taicang campus is becoming a model for a new kind of higher education – one that closely links classrooms to factories, connects research with real-world demand, and integrates students with future employers.

The model has garnered strong participation from businesses, with over 300 companies establishing partnerships with the campus. More than 100 of these companies have incorporated projects directly into university life. These collaborations can take various forms, including industry-informed coursework, student-led entrepreneurial ventures, or research initiatives led by faculty members.

Students give presentations at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

The college's industry-driven philosophy was further reflected in May, when its master's program in Advanced Intelligent Manufacturing Technology received approval from China's Ministry of Education. The program was developed in response to the evolving needs of manufacturers in Taicang, one of the country's most dynamic industrial hubs.

For many students, the appeal of the Taicang campus lies in its focus on hands-on, interdisciplinary learning.

Liu Yuxin, who earned his undergraduate degree in Process Equipment and Control Engineering, realized that having expertise limited to mechanical systems could become a constraint when tackling complex, system-level projects. As a result, he chose to pursue a master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation with a specialization in Intelligent Robotics at XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang).

Liu said the program's project-based learning approach was instrumental in reshaping his professional capabilities. "These projects gave us a solid foundation in project management," he said. "We learned how to anticipate customer needs, conduct industry research and assess feasibility in the early stages. Those skills helped me adapt quickly in the workplace."