In a move to deepen industry-academia integration, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology (JXUST) signed an agreement with Zijin Mining Group on June 15 to establish the “JXUST-Zijin International Mining Engineer Class,” a tailored training program designed to prepare students for overseas mining operations.
The signing ceremony was attended by Wu Jianhui, Executive Vice President of Zijin Mining; Ge Shirong, President of JXUST and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; along with Vice Presidents Xu Zhifeng and Ning Jie. Prior to the ceremony, Liu Zuwen, Party Secretary of JXUST, welcomed the Zijin delegation for a preliminary exchange.
Zijin Mining, a leading multinational mining giant listed on both the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges, operates across 17 Chinese provinces and 17 countries worldwide, managing more than 30 large-scale mines. With overseas operations contributing over half of its total output and profits, the company ranks first among global gold producers and fourth among global metals miners. Its sprawling international footprint has created an urgent demand for talent equipped with strong foreign language skills, cross-cultural competence, solid engineering foundations, and a global outlook. The new joint program with JXUST is a strategic initiative to build a pipeline of internationally ready mining professionals.
At the symposium, Ge Shirong outlined the university’s history, disciplinary strengths, and extensive track record of industry collaboration. He described the program as a vital step in JXUST’s push to pioneer new models of international talent cultivation. Designed to address frontline talent shortages at Zijin’s overseas mines, the initiative leverages JXUST’s traditional engineering strengths in mining, mechanical and electrical engineering, and safety to forge a complete chain from targeted education and hands-on training through to employment. By pooling complementary resources, the university and the company aim to carve out a fresh pathway for producing versatile technical professionals tailored to international projects, elevating the strategic partnership to a new level.
Wu Jianhui shared Zijin’s philosophy on cultivating versatile talent. He stressed that a rigorous engineering education provides the bedrock for a mining career, but it is by breaking down disciplinary silos and learning through practice that well-rounded professionals truly emerge. The company, he noted, consistently encourages young employees to train on the front lines; many university graduates have risen through grassroots positions to become technical backbones and managerial mainstays. Emphasizing that hands-on experience is the key to honing real competence, he expressed hope that both sides would use this program to continually refine their education model, staying responsive to industry trends and the company’s global expansion, and jointly nurture pragmatic, high-calibre talent.
Participants then discussed details including curriculum design, practical training arrangements, and student management. With leaders from both sides looking on, Wu Jianhui and Xu Zhifeng signed the cooperative training agreement.
The program will select third-year students from four flagship engineering majors: mining engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and automation, and safety engineering. Built around the goal of producing graduates who are professionally solid, culturally literate, globally minded, and multi-skilled, the curriculum supplements standard coursework with TOEIC English, mining English, cross-cultural communication, and mine management. Zijin Mining will open its online learning platform to students and organize on-site visits to its mining operations. The program adopts a dual-mentor system, with students completing their capstone design and internships on real production tasks. A comprehensive support and incentive structure includes living allowances, dedicated scholarships, and class-building funds. Students who successfully complete all training requirements will be preferentially recruited by Zijin Mining.
