Shunde Polytechnic University (SDPTU) is situated in Shunde, Foshan, a renowned manufacturing hub and UNESCO City of Gastronomy. SDPTU was selected into China's first and second phases of "Double High Plan"(National Plan for High-level Vocational Education). It was originally founded as Shunde Polytechnic in 1999. As a frontrunner in China's vocational education development, the university collaborates with over 60 institutions worldwide across more than 20 countries and regions. It has won titles such as National Advanced Unit of Vocational Education and Star-rated Institution on the Asia-Pacific Vocational Education Influence Index.
Shunde Polytechnic University Campus
In recent years, the university has deepened cooperation with Thai institutions and enterprises in training, academic exchanges and curriculum design. Its result-oriented collaboration with universities and enterprises in Thailand has built a solid foundation for bilateral ties.
Delegation from SDPTU Visits Chitralada Technology Institute, Thailand
During Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's visit to Guangdong in June 2023, the Government of Guangdong Province recommended SDPTU to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou. The university has since established a partnership with Chitralada Technology Institute (CDTI) founded by the Princess. The two sides then carried out cooperation in areas such as the establishment of overseas vocational education bases, joint talent training program, and culinary culture exchanges.
A Delegation from CDTI Visits SDPTU and Partner Enterprises
In September 2023, we formally signed a cooperation agreement online. Under the agreement, SDPTU has set up the Cantonese Cuisine Master Academy at CDTI for joint training programs in Chinese language and Cantonese culinary skills. CDTI would set up the Thai Culinary Culture Center at SDPTU's School of Culinary Arts and offer training programs on Thai food culture.
Online Signing Ceremony of Cooperation Agreement Between SDPTU and CDTI
In November 2023, Khunying Sumonta Promboon, President of CDTI, headed a delegation to SDPTU. Representatives of both institutions, attended events hosted by the Guangdong Belt and Road Vocational Education Alliance, sharing their cooperation blueprint and unveiling the Thai Culinary Culture Center.
In June 2024, a faculty delegation from SDPTU visited CDTI for the first Chinese cuisine teaching sessions. Focusing on "Chinese & Cantonese Culinary Skills," the training served more than 50 Thai learners, boosting bilateral culinary education ties.
Teachers from SDPTU visits CDTI to conduct the Chinese cuisine teaching activities
In August 2024, SDPTU delivered another round of training with the same theme in Thailand. The two institutions jointly unveiled the Cantonese Cuisine Master Academy. At the unveiling ceremony, CDTI presented Princess Sirindhorn's handwritten inscription- "Good Fortune and Lasting Friendship" which shows the Thai royal family's high hopes for bilateral cooperation.
CDTI presented Princess Sirindhorn's handwritten inscription
In November 2024, bilateral student and faculty exchanges officially began. A group of 14 faculty and students from CDTI came to SDPTU for academic visits, taking part in a comprehensive Cantonese chef training course tailored by our School of Culinary Arts. Meanwhile, 14 faculty and students from SDPTU's School of Culinary Arts traveled to CDTI. They learned authentic Thai cooking skills and gained richer global insights into their profession. Participants held productive discussions on academic systems and campus life.
Bilateral Student and Faculty Exchange
Thanks to the project, SDPTU was honored with the Outstanding Contribution Award for China-Thailand Vocational Education Cooperation by Thailand's Ministry of Education. SDPTU also advances extensive industry-university-research cooperation with Chinese-funded enterprises in Thailand.
From July to October 2025, SDPTU's mechanical engineering and Chinese education instructors ran a three-month "Chinese & Vocational Skills" training program at Midea Thailand, supporting the development of this Fortune Global 500 Chinese enterprise.
Teachers from SDPTU carried out the "Chinese + Vocational Skills" training program at Midea Group's manufacturing plant in Thailand
To meet with the enterprise's demand, the training courses covered equipment maintenance, system troubleshooting, programming, and PLC-touchscreen interaction via classroom lectures and on-site practice.
SDPTU Teacher delivered PLC courses to employees of Midea Group in Thailand
In the Chinese teaching session, SDPTU actively mobilized Thai employees to learn the Chinese language and culture. Tailor-made for local staff, the courses suit practical needs and can be put into use immediately, earning widespread praise.
SDPTU Teacher delivered Chinese language courses to employees of Midea Group in Thailand
As a result, the training program has been recognized as one of the achievements of the Lingnan Artisan Polytechnic initiated by the Department of Education of Guangdong Province.
Inauguration of the Thailand Base of Lingnan Artisan Polytechnic
In February 2026, Princess Sirindhorn visited Midea Thailand Factory, where she learned about the SDPTU-Midea Lighthouse Factory and their collaboration on skilled personnel training and advanced manufacturing. For this project, the Princess penned the inscription Everlasting Prosperity.
Princess Sirindhorn visited Midea Thailand Factory
In addition, to meet Midea's demand for local technical talents in Thailand, SDPTU and CDTI jointly rolled out a tripartite scheme for refrigeration and air-conditioning technology. With the "2+1" tailored talent cultivation model, the program offers tailored training, technology transfer and internships to foster competent local skilled workers for the company's overseas growth.
Online Signing Ceremony of Cooperation Agreement Between SDPTU, CDTI and Midea Group
Furthermore, SDPTU actively promotes cultural exchanges with Thailand. In April 2026, invited by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou, SDPTU participated in the "Thailand-Foshan Food Culture Exchange Event." The university sent 19 teachers and students to showcase signature dish preparation with celebrated Thai chefs. This event has strengthened culinary cultural exchanges and boosted practical cooperation between Foshan and Thailand.
In June 2026, a delegation headed by Kajtiti Wiwatwanont, Consul General of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Guangzhou visited SDPTU. Mr. Kajtiti Wiwatwanont praised the joint programs between SDPTU and Thailand after learning about the achievements. He pledged to offer full support for further in-depth cooperation between the university and Thai institutions. Then, the delegation visited the School of Culinary Arts to inspect its educational achievements. They tasted the characteristic herbal tea made by students and spoke highly of the students' solid practical skills.
Building on past cooperation, SDPTU will deepen academic and industrial partnerships in Thailand. It will constantly refine its "Chinese & Vocational Skills" training program, broadening cooperation across more fields and disciplines including Cantonese cuisine, intelligent manufacturing and refrigeration technology, with an aim to open a new chapter of win-win vocational education cooperation between China and Thailand.
