Shanxi University signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the government of Fenyang and Fenjiu Group on Dec 28 -- to establish Xinghuacun College at Shanxi University and the Shanxi Brewing Industry Research Institute, in Fenyang city in northern Shanxi province.

Officials said the establishment of the two institutes aimed to preserve, pass on and promote the rich brewing culture of Shanxi province, as well as develop new liquor products to satisfy the increasing demands of customers.

Xinghuacun College will be the first college established in Shanxi to train professionals for the liquor industry and conduct theoretical brewing research. It will feature majors related to biological engineering and food science and engineering.

It is estimated that the enrollment of undergraduate students majoring in Brewing Engineering will be 50 per year. Enrollment of postgraduate students majoring in Fermentation Engineering will be about 30 and that in other majors will be about 300 a year.

Officials said the Shanxi Brewing Industry Research Institute will be responsible for liquor technology innovation, as well as the commercialization of research achievements.

The Fenjiu Group is a time-honored liquor producer in Xinghuacun village in Fenyang, in Lyuliang in Shanxi. Its Xinghuacun liquor has a reputation in China for a pleasant aroma and pure taste.

Officials said the Fenjiu Group will give full play to its expertise in capital, technology, talent and markets to create good internship conditions for students and achieve commercialization of brewing research achievements.

Lyuliang is one of the top 10 liquor-producing regions in the world and is China's biggest production hub for fragrant liquor, with a 6,000-year brewing history.

Officials said its goal is to achieve reach annual production value of 50 billion yuan in five years, with a target of hitting an annual production value of 100 billion yuan in a decade.

A signing ceremony between Shanxi University and the government of Fenyang and Fenjiu Group is held at Shanxi University on Dec 28. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

A nameplate unveiling ceremony for Xinghuacun College and the Shanxi Brewing Industry Research Institute is held at Shanxi University on Dec 28. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

Fu Huiming, Party secretary of Shanxi University, delivers a speech at a cooperation meeting held between Shanxi University and the government of Fenyang and Fenjiu Group on Dec 28. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]