江苏留学网

Students from Jiangsu University of Science and Technology take a close look at the silk processing line at Haian Silk Group in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on Nov 16. [Photo/jsenews.com]

The age-old tradition of apprentices serving tea to their masters was briefly revived in Jiangsu on Nov 16 as a group of 50 university students offered tea to experienced workers at a local company, whom they were eager to learn from. 

After serving the tea and the masters satisfied to take a sip, the students from Jiangsu University of Science and Technology were officially acknowledged by Haian Silk Group, where they will spend the next semesters sharpening sericulture skills. 

They then took a nickel tour around the company's research center, refrigeration house for silkworms and moths, as well as breeding rooms for small and large sized silkworms. 

They also explored the company's silk processing line and had their jaws dropped at its order and automation – from cocoon selection and cooking to silk reeling, shaking and doubling. 

The students also had their eyes open at a wide variety of silk products, appreciating the integration of fabrics with traditional culture and artistic designs. 

They learned a lesson from Zhang Guozheng, a professor at their school, and got to know the control of silkworm diseases, the irrigation system for mulberry trees, and the development of modern sericulture industry. 

Chu Chengping, a manager at Haian Silk Group who was also one of the masters, said he felt honored to be a student tutor and the silk company will shoulder the responsibility to provide more opportunities for learning, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and work together with the school to cultivate more agricultural professionals.

Jiangsu University of Science and Technology initiated the college-enterprise cooperative program for undergraduate students in 2014. It was a practical move of cultivating innovative and inter-disciplinary talents. Students graduating from the school also enjoyed higher employment and postgraduate admission rate. 

Haian Silk Group is located in Haian county, widely known as the hometown of "China's cocoon silk and lake mulberries".