At Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) in Pingshan District, a growing number of enterprise-linked classes are preparing students for the workplace by turning real business challenges into coursework and helping them adapt quickly to industry needs.

SZTU now offers more than 20 such classes, which enroll about 20% of its undergraduates. The university collaborates with companies including Tencent, Loongson, Huawei, BYD, SF Express and UBTECH in fields such as computer and network security, integrated circuits, artificial intelligence and robotics, industrial design, biomedical engineering, biopharmaceuticals, smart transportation and logistics, and industrial software.

The classes feature customized curricula, corporate mentors and extensive hands-on experience with real-world projects.

For Su Yuying, an industrial design student in a class developed in collaboration with BYD, the company’s cutting-edge new energy vehicle technology, diverse product portfolio and advanced intelligent systems were major attractions. She also valued the opportunity to learn from leading instructors at one of China’s top new energy vehicle companies.

The class is designed to train high-end automotive designers. It combines customized coursework with joint instruction by university faculty and corporate designers and engineers, connecting classroom teaching directly with production needs. In addition to core courses, students learn the knowledge and skills required for professional roles and develop the ability to solve real-world problems.

Across SZTU, these classes integrate degree education, corporate training and engineering projects. Companies identify practical challenges, the university provides the educational framework, and students work on solutions. For companies in Pingshan, the model cultivates talent close to home. For students, it creates a pathway from university enrollment to professional practice.

Li Han, a junior at SZTU’s College of Urban Transportation and Logistics, joined an unmanned delivery studio established in partnership with SF Express. She also participated in a class developed with Pupu Supermarket and a semester-long course jointly offered with SF Express.

Most of her instructors have at least five years of frontline industry experience and a strong understanding of corporate challenges and industry trends. “Everything they teach is directly applicable to the job,” she said. Beyond technical expertise, the courses cover workplace etiquette and communication, helping students develop both professional skills and broader personal capabilities.

As more enterprise-linked classes are launched, a growing number of graduates with both academic knowledge and hands-on industry experience will move from Pingshan into production lines, laboratories and the front lines of innovation.