A major in environmental monitoring and control technology -- a new discipline at Yangquan Vocational and Technical College -- recently began enrolling students, according to officials at the school in Yangquan city in North China's Shanxi province. 

They said it marked the official start of school-enterprise cooperation between the college and Shanxi Tianhesheng Environmental Detection Co based in Yangquan city. 

Shanxi Tianhesheng Environmental Detection Co is a high-tech enterprise engaged in environmental detection and environmental technology consulting businesses. 

Officials said it has the only environmental monitoring key laboratory in Yangquan city and the company was lauded last November as one of a group of professional, innovative and meticulous small and medium-sized enterprises in Shanxi province.

Earlier in July 2019, the college and the company signed a partnership agreement. This was to cultivate technical people in environmental monitoring by integrating the two sides' advantages in training, teaching and scientific research.

Based on market demand and job requirements, the two sides will focus on enabling students to master experimental operation skills and environmental governance technologies as well as environmental management regulations and policies. 

This is so that they can better participate in work concerning environmental monitoring and evaluations, product testing and operations and in the maintenance of pollution control facilities.

In addition, the two sides will also jointly develop a curriculum and a teaching process in accordance with vocational standards and production procedures.