Zimbabwean Amanda Chinembiri (right) wins an award in the first phase of Industry and Enterprise Tailored Education program. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Qualified graduates who complete different stages of the programs get a chance to experience professional work in the respective companies. They may also get sponsored for a two-year, part-time master's degree to help the company solve practical issues.

Students who complete all the stages of learning and earn their master's while working will be "very strong candidates" for the future of the industry, says Xi.

The program also gives freshmen the opportunity to find out their interests and passion at an early stage, so that they can make career adjustments even before they graduate.

Second-year economics and finance major Qu Yingrui, who participated in this year's tailored education program, says that it helped her gain an in-depth understanding of her current discipline. The field study also helped her get a clearer direction in terms of her future development.

"This experience made me realize that I am more interested in research," says Qu, 19. "I am planning to continue my graduate education."

Apart from the Industry and Enterprise Tailored Education, the Entrepreneur College is expected to be developed in due course to promote entrepreneur education for all the students. The university will also create an Entrepreneur Park business incubator for students to pursue their ideas.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community will work with local government and enterprises to create an innovation and entrepreneurship community catering to emerging industry elites.

The main purpose is to use the university as a platform to leverage the resources in the local community, develop a creative environment and support innovation, says Xi.

It is all part of higher education's responsibility, to "train people for the future", he says.

Contact the writer at zhangzefeng@chinadaily.com.cn