China Craftsman Valley Visits UK to Accelerate a Series of Cooperative Projects

In a sustained effort to deepen the internationalization and open education model of China Craftsman Valley institutions, Mr. Yao Yichun, President of China POCY Group and Chair of the UNESCO World Federation Industry-Education Integration Committee, along with Ms. Sun Aiping, Executive Vice President of China POCY Group, visited the United Kingdom from December 4 to 8, 2025 (local time). During their visit, they held in-depth discussions with the University of Salford and Regent’s University London, focusing on China-UK youth cultural interaction, joint talent cultivation, and research collaboration. The primary objective was to advance the implementation of Sino-foreign cooperative education programs, injecting new momentum into the high-quality, connotative development of China Craftsman Valley institutions.

University of Salford

At the University of Salford, both parties centered their discussions on the practical advancement of "Sino-foreign cooperative education programs" to deepen and solidify the partnership. They agreed to engage in extensive cooperation covering academic credential enhancement, teacher training, and cultural exchanges. Detailed consultations were held regarding curriculum alignment in nursing and health, allocation of teaching resources, and innovative pedagogical models. To ensure efficient project implementation, both sides agreed to establish a regular communication mechanism, accelerating the application and approval processes to guarantee compliant project execution. The collaboration will prioritize the introduction of the UK's advanced teaching resources and industry certification systems, aiming to elevate the international caliber of talent cultivation and support breakthrough development for China Craftsman Valley institutions within the global educational landscape.

The University of Salford has long been recognized as a leading institution among the UK's established universities. Its predecessor, the Royal Technical Institute, was founded in 1896, and it received its royal charter to become a comprehensive university in 1967. The Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, served as its Chancellor for 25 years. In the International Student Satisfaction Survey for Northwest England, the University of Salford ranked second. According to the UK government's Research Excellence Framework (REF), 83% of Salford's research was assessed as "internationally recognized." The university consistently maintains an impressive graduate employment rate, with 92% of graduates securing employment or pursuing further study within six months of graduation.

Regent’s University London

During the visit to Regent’s University London, both parties introduced their respective institutional profiles, faculty strengths, and recent educational achievements. Discussions focused intensively on various cooperative education models, including "3+0," "3+1," and "3+1+1" programs. Furthermore, both sides actively exchanged intentions for cooperation regarding student exchange and faculty visits, planning annual reciprocal exchanges of a certain number of outstanding students and key faculty members for study and academic interaction, thereby enriching the international dimension of talent development. Through amicable negotiations, both parties reached preliminary consensus on future collaboration and agreed to further refine the cooperation plan to expedite the implementation of cooperative projects.

Regent’s University London (commonly referred to as Regent's) was originally established in 1984 as Regent’s College. It is located in Regent's Park, one of London's most scenic royal parks, offering a beautiful environment with modern and comprehensive facilities. The university is known for its small-class teaching and strong industry connections. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and selected vocational/short-term programs for international students, emphasizing "industry-oriented" curriculum design and university-enterprise/industry links. Regent’s is now part of Galileo Global Education, Europe's largest and the world's second-largest private higher education group.

This visit serves as a significant practice under China POCY Group's "Dual-wheel Drive" strategy and a key initiative in implementing its "15th Five-Year Plan" internationalization strategy. It aims to synergize internal drive and external expansion, propelling China-UK educational cooperation from mere "physical addition" towards deep integration. The substantive progress of the University of Salford project and the implementation of multi-model programs with Regent’s University London will provide domestic students with higher-quality, more flexible international education options and inject new dynamism into practical cooperation between China and the UK in the educational sector.

As "going out" transforms into "taking deep root," and singular cooperation extends into ecosystem co-building, China POCY Group will, with an open and inclusive approach, further deepen practical collaboration with international universities. The Group will promote mutual recognition of educational standards, accelerate localized innovation, and ultimately achieve a closed-loop ecosystem from "Bringing in" to "Going out," thereby establishing a unique position and unlocking greater value within the global educational landscape.