On December 5th, HFU’s internationalized higher education dual system hits the headlines of China Education Daily.  

Based on the foundation of Sino-German cooperation, HFU, in the light of the advanced notion of higher education dual system, co-set a “Dual-System Continental Class” in 2016 with Continental AG and Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences. HFU deepened its cooperation with enterprises by inviting Continental AG to participate in the whole cultivation process of high-quality applied undergraduates, through integrated interdisciplinary resources to sparkle students’ innovation.

“From introduction to specified segmentation, from university-driven to truly enterprise-led, the dual system applied by HFU, was in great consistency with the logic of internationalized dual system for higher education”, said Wang Qidong, Chair of HFU Council, “This is a timely opportunity for internationalized dual system, and our ultimate goal is to grow into a major player in the high-quality applied talent cultivation in China”.

“Global horizon”, “high quality” and “application” are the most crucial three key terms for the “Continental Class”. During their first and second year at HFU, students are required to learn German and fundamental courses in mechanical design, manufacturing and automation. As for the next two years, students who pass the tests for German language and the assessment will be engaged in a one-year overseas study in Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences and get trained at the training center of Continental AG headquartered in Hanover. The rest of the class will then be sent to Continental AG factory located in Hefei for internships for 1 year.

Originated in the vocational colleges established in Baden-Württemberg State, Germany, in 1970s, the higher education dual system is now booming in nearly 1500 specialties and programs in most German comprehensive universities, universities of applied sciences and vocational colleges with their fixed enterprises as partners.

Based on HFU’s cooperation with German universities for more than 30 years, Hefei Municipal Government set up a 5-billion-yuan special fund for Sino-German cooperation in 2016, which in turn helps HFU develop its internationalized higher education dual system.