The Shandong Provincial People's Government has officially approved the establishment of five new Sino-foreign cooperative educational institutions across the province, according to a series of official documents dated August 28, 2026. The approvals, issued to the Provincial Department of Education, pave the way for these colleges to begin enrolling students from 2027.
The first approval authorizes the creation of the St. Petersburg Transport School of Shandong Transport Vocational College, a non-independent legal entity under the umbrella of Shandong Transport Vocational College. This institution is a collaborative effort between the Chinese college and Russia's St. Petersburg State Transport University (Emperor Alexander I). Located at 7369 Bohai Road in the Hi-Tech Zone of Weifang City, the school will offer three-year associate degree programs in Automobile Inspection and Maintenance Technology, Urban Rail Vehicle Application Technology, and Mechatronics Integration Technology. With a total capacity of 720 students, it will enroll 240 students annually from 2027 to 2030. Graduates will receive a diploma from the Chinese institution.
In a second decision, the government approved the St. Petersburg Institute of Artificial Intelligence at Shandong College of Electronic Technology, a collaborative venture between the Chinese college and Russia's Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI". Situated at 888 Wenhua Road, Shuangshan Street, Zhangqiu District, Jinan City, this non-legal-person institution will focus on three specialist programs: Electronic Information Engineering Technology, Artificial Intelligence Application Technology, and Information Security Technology Application. The college is designed for 720 students, enrolling 240 per year over three years. In addition to the Chinese diploma, graduates will also receive a descriptive certificate from "LETI". Enrollment will run from 2027 to 2029.
The third approval establishes the Sino-Italian International Fashion Institute of Shandong Vocational Institute of Fashion Technology, a partnership between the Chinese academy and Italy's Libera Accademia di Belle Arti di Brescia. The institute, located at 299 Tianzhufeng Road, Taishan District, Tai'an City, will offer three specialized programs: Fashion Display and Exhibition Design, Fashion Design and Engineering, and Fashion and Apparel Design. With a total enrollment capacity of 780 students, it will admit 260 students annually, with specific quotas for each major. Students will receive a Chinese diploma and a credit certificate from the Italian academy. The enrollment period is set for 2027 to 2030.
A fourth decision greenlights the Sino-Australia Smart Service Industry College of Qingdao Vocational and Technical College of Hotel Management, created in partnership with Australia's Box Hill Institute. Based at 599 Jiushui East Road, Licang District, Qingdao, this college will offer four specialist programs: Information Security Technology Application, Smart Health Elderly Care and Management, Western Culinary Arts, and Modern Property Management. The college will have a total capacity of 840 students, with 280 enrolled each year. Besides the Chinese graduation certificate, students will be awarded a vocational qualification or diploma from the Australian partner. Enrollment will take place from 2027 to 2030.
In the fifth and final approval, the government sanctioned the Inha Institute of Shandong Polytechnic University, a new college formed in collaboration with South Korea's Inha University. The institute will be located at 19777 Fuyanshan Road, Weicheng District, Weifang City, and will offer three-year programs in Mechatronics Integration Technology, Electrical Automation Technology, and Big Data Technology. The largest of the five new schools, it will have a capacity for 900 students, enrolling 300 per year. Graduates will receive a diploma from Shandong Polytechnic University along with a descriptive certificate from Inha University. Its enrollment is scheduled from 2027 to 2029.
All five institutions will operate under the national higher education enrollment plan, adhere to national and provincial fee standards, and fall under the respective parent Chinese colleges. The provincial government has instructed the Department of Education to strengthen oversight, urging these colleges to refine their professional characteristics, innovate talent cultivation models, and enhance overall educational quality to support the development of higher vocational education.