Qingdao Agricultural University

What Qingdao Agricultural University does

Qingdao Agricultural University (QAU) is a comprehensive public university located in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, founded in 1951 as Laiyang Agricultural University. The university operates across four campuses (Chengyang, Pingdu, Laiyang, Blue Valley) plus a Center for Modern Agri-tech Service in Jiaozhou, covering approximately 5,220 MU (about 860 acres), with 25 schools and departments delivering 82 undergraduate programs, 14 first-level postgraduate disciplines, and 2 doctoral programs to over 30,000 full-time students. QAU serves both domestic and international students, with international bachelor's and master's tuition priced at 15,000 and 18,000 RMB/year respectively. Continuing education programs serve an additional 13,000 adult students and 7,000+ trainees annually.

The university's research and technology capabilities span agricultural sciences, biotechnology, food science, marine science, agricultural engineering, and environmental sciences. QAU holds five ESI top 1% disciplines (Plant & Animal Science, Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Environment and Ecology), has won 238 provincial/ministry-level science and technology awards since 1978, and holds pioneering positions in somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning (first Chinese university to clone a feline) and bionic pesticide patents. It hosts the IAMFE international headquarters and operates 57 model bases plus 10 regional institutes extending services across 20+ Chinese provinces.

QAU's revenue model combines government funding and research grants (over 203 million yuan in total research funding across 851 projects), tuition from domestic and international students, technology transfer and licensing (over 600 million yuan cumulative from crop variety transfers), continuing education fees, and corporate-sponsored scholarships. The university pursues internationalization through 100+ partnerships across 20+ countries, Belt and Road education initiatives, and joint-degree programs including the Bathurst Future Agri-Tech Institute with Royal Agricultural University (UK). It is designated as a high-level university construction unit by Shandong Provincial Department of Education, providing sustained institutional and policy support.

Name

Qingdao Agricultural University

Legal name

Qingdao Agricultural University

Website

https://en.qau.edu.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Qingdao Agricultural University is a comprehensive Chinese public university in Qingdao, Shandong, founded in 1951, serving 30,000+ students across 25 schools with strong programs in agricultural sciences, biotechnology, and marine science. It generates revenue through government funding, tuition, technology transfer, and international partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Agricultural Sciences)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis (EDAHAAAD), Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK), Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Agricultural sciences
• Biotechnology research
• Marine aquaculture
• Agricultural engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Qingdao Shi

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue - International Degree Students: QAU charges tuition fees for international students pursuing bachelor's (15,000 RMB/year), master's (18,000 RMB/year), and Chinese language programs (7,000 RMB/semester for long-term, 600 RMB/week for short-term). This represents a direct revenue stream from international student recruitment.
2. Government Funding and Grants: As a provincial key university in Shandong Province, QAU receives government funding for education, research, and infrastructure. The university participates in national and provincial research funding programs including National Natural Science Foundation, National Sci-Tech Support Plan, and provincial science and technology programs. Research funding totals over 200 million yuan in recent years.
3. Technology Transfer and Commercialization: Revenue generated from technology transfer and commercialization of research achievements. For example, the 'Research on Grifola Frondosa polysaccharida' project was transferred for 9 million yuan. Seed breeding technologies have generated significant transfer fees. New crop varieties breeding programs have produced transfer fees exceeding 2,000 million yuan.
4. Continuing Education Programs: Revenue from adult higher education (13,000 students), training programs (7,000+ people annually), and examination services (7,000+ people taking exams each year). Programs include new peasants entrepreneurship training, modern agricultural technology training, party and government management training, and enterprise management training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Qingdao Agricultural University is a comprehensive public university providing higher education across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in agricultural sciences, engineering, natural sciences, economics, management, literature, art, and law. The university operates 25 schools/departments with 82 undergraduate programs, 14 first-level postgraduate disciplines, and 2 doctoral programs, serving over 30,000 full-time students. In addition to education, QAU conducts large-scale agricultural research, technology transfer, and commercialization, with cumulative crop variety transfer fees exceeding 600 million yuan and hosting the global headquarters of IAMFE.

Product overview

Qingdao Agricultural University is a comprehensive public university with 25 schools/departments offering 82 undergraduate programs, 14 first-level postgraduate disciplines, and 2 doctoral programs. The university provides educational services through its core academic divisions including Agriculture and Plant Protection, Life Sciences, Horticulture, Marine Science, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and others. Sub-products include the Bathurst Future Agri-Tech Institute (Chinese-UK cooperative), international exchange programs with 80+ universities, continuing education serving 7,000+ annually, and specialized animation/media production facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 238 provincial or ministry-level (and above) science and technology awards since 1978, including 14 national-level awards
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Royal Agricultural University (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2020Jointly established Bathurst Future Agri-Tech Institute - a Chinese-foreign cooperative school approved by Ministry of Education. Offers four undergraduate majors (Agronomy, Agricultural Resources and Environment, Food Science and Engineering, Logistics Management) with 1,200 total scale and 300 students enrolled per year. Adopts '4+0' double degree model. Royal Agricultural University sends prominent teachers to QAU. Students can obtain undergraduate graduation certificates and bachelor's degree certificates from both universities.
• International Association of Mechanization of Field Experiments (IAMFE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012IAMFE headquarters moved to QAU from St. Petersburg State Agricultural University, Russia in 2012. QAU's Dean Prof. Shuqi Shang has served as President of IAMFE since 2008. Both the secretariat of Chinese Branch of IAMFE and the Specialized Committee of Facility Agricultural Engineering are located at QAU. This establishes QAU as the global hub for agricultural mechanization field experiments.
• Murdoch University (Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Joint doctoral training program established with Murdoch University. QAU's School of Life Sciences has established collaborative relationship with Murdoch University. QAU sends faculty for further study and cooperative research. This is part of QAU's international joint-training system for PhD candidates.
• University of British Columbia (Canada)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly established Urban Forestry Research Institute with University of British Columbia. Cooperative research platform for urban forestry and environmental health research. Faculty and student exchanges conducted.
• Sino Australian Joint Research Institute of Agriculture and Environmental HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational scientific research cooperation platform established for agriculture and environmental health research. QAU has established two international scientific research cooperation research platforms including this institute.
• Cornell University (USA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQAU has established cooperation and exchange relationships with Cornell University. Joint establishment of Invertebrate Animal Cell Culture and Engineering Center with Cornell University. QAU is one of the leading institutions in invertebrate animal cell study.
• Wageningen University (Netherlands)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic exchange and faculty visits established with Wageningen University. Professor from Wageningen University teaches graduate classes at QAU. Cooperation in agricultural research and education.
• Seoul National University (South Korea)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished cooperation with Seoul National University. QAU's delegation led by Party Secretary Li Baodu visited to sign letter of intent on deepening academic exchanges and cooperation. Dr. Wu Wei from QAU's School of Food Science and Engineering successfully applied for China-South Korea Young Scientists Exchange Program with Seoul National University.
• Royal Agricultural University (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBathurst Future Agri-Tech Institute was officially approved by China's Ministry of Education on April 26, 2020 as a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school. Royal Agricultural University sends prominent teachers and both sides' excellent teachers co-teach in Chinese and English.
• Purdue University (USA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool of Life Sciences has established collaborative relationship with Purdue University for academic exchanges and research cooperation.
• University of Washington (USA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool of Life Sciences has established collaborative relationship with University of Washington. Joint research project on metabolomics in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 published in Journal of Chromatography A. Dr. Martin Sadilek visited QAU for proteomics and metabolomics discussions.
• University of Kansas (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool of Life Sciences maintains collaborative research relationship with University of Kansas.
• National University of Seoul (South Korea)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool of Life Sciences has established collaborative relationship with National University of Seoul.
• Wuzheng Group (Shandong)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerScientific research cooperation and teaching base established with Wuzheng Group of Shandong - a major agricultural machinery enterprise. Part of QAU's network of over 30 enterprise partnerships for practical training and research.
• Haofeng Machine Manufacturing Ltd (Henan)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerScientific research cooperation and teaching base with Haofeng Machine Manufacturing Ltd of Henan for agricultural machinery research and development.
• Jinyi Machine Manufacturing Ltd (Shandong)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerScientific research cooperation and teaching base with Jinyi Machine Manufacturing Ltd of Shandong for agricultural equipment development.
• Wan Nongda Peanut Machine Manufacturing Ltd (Qingdao)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with Wan Nongda Peanut Machine Manufacturing Ltd in Qingdao for peanut machinery research and development.
• Zhangqiu Blower Co. Ltd (Shandong)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEstablished 'Zhanggu scholarship' with Zhangqiu Blower Co. Ltd, providing practical conditions for studying and scientific research.
• Tongda Group (Shandong)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEstablished 'Tongda scholarship' with Tongda Group of Shandong, supporting education and research.
• Kasetsart University (Thailand)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned memorandum of understanding on cooperation with Kasetsart University in Thailand. One of 13 Thailand friendship universities and institutions with which QAU has established cooperative relations under the Belt and Road initiative.
• Thailand Friendship Universities and InstitutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQAU has signed memorandums of understanding on cooperation with 13 Thailand friendship universities and institutions. Also held Belt and Road China-Thailand Cultural Exchange Festival in two consecutive years.
• Russian Agricultural Engineering CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized China-Russia Seminar on Intelligent Agricultural Machinery Equipment and Advanced Technology. Signed Cooperation Agreement on Technological Innovation and Industrial Development of Agricultural Equipment with Russian Agricultural Engineering Center and Russian Institute of Agricultural Production Engineering and Ecological Problems.
• China Academy of Agricultural Mechanization SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVice President Zhu Lianqin signed Cooperation Agreement on Technological Innovation and Industrial Development of Agricultural Equipment with the China Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences, Russian Agricultural Engineering Center, and Russian Institute of Agricultural Production Engineering and Ecological Problems.
• Republic of Senegal (Government)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenegal's Ambassador to China visited QAU. QAU has been responding to the Belt and Road initiative, strengthening exchanges with Senegalese government, universities, and research institutions in agricultural science, agricultural machinery R&D, and food science.
• Pennsylvania State University (USA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation collaboration established with Penn State University. Dr. Cameron, an environmental engineering expert from Penn State University, teaches an environmental eco-engineering course for graduate students.
• Murray State University (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation collaboration established with Murray State University. Prof. Liu introduced long-term fertilization experiments to Prof. Iin Handayani from Murray State University at Laiyang experimental farm.
• Hirokei University (Japan)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQAU has established the first cooperative college in China with in-depth exchanges with Hirokei University, Japan-China Agricultural Association, and Aomori Agricultural Association in Japan.
• Japanese and Korean UniversitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner12 consecutive sessions of 'Qingdao Agricultural University-Seoul University Symposium on Agriculture and Biotechnology' held. Jointly established Academic Research Institute of Agricultural Biology and Environment with universities in Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
• Shandong Denghai Seed Limited CompanymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEstablished professional scholarships for Agronomy students. Notable alumnus Li Denghai (world famous maize breeder) is Chairman of Shandong Denghai Seed Co. Ltd.
• Shandong Zhouyuan Seed Limited CompanymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEstablished professional scholarships for Agronomy students. Training bases for Seed Science and Engineering specialty.
• Zhongda Pharmacy CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCorporate sponsor providing scholarship funds for the School of Agriculture and Plant Protection.
• China Film Group CorporationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJoint Cultivation Base for Digital Arts Professionals established with China Film Group Corporation.
• China Central Television (CCTV)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOver 560 scientific and educational TV programs produced and more than 400 episodes broadcast on CCTV. Dr. Chunde Wang from Marine Science and Engineering selected as one of Best Agriculture Technology by CCTV's 'Son of Earth' award.

Scale indicators30 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sichuan Agricultural University: 211 Project agricultural university in Sichuan with comparable comprehensive coverage of agricultural sciences, animal science, life sciences, and economics. Strong overlap with QAU in crop breeding, tea research, and rural development extension services.
• Anhui Agricultural University: Provincial agricultural university in Anhui with similar scale (~30,000 students) and disciplinary mix to QAU. Both are provincial-tier (non-985/211) agricultural universities competing for similar faculty, students, and government research funding pools.
• Shenyang Agricultural University: Provincial agricultural university in Liaoning with comparable disciplinary coverage and provincial-tier positioning. Similar scale of operations, faculty composition, and focus on applied agricultural research and technology transfer to industry.
• Northeast Agricultural University: 211 Project agricultural university in Heilongjiang, offering similar comprehensive agricultural programs with research strengths in animal science, plant protection, and agricultural engineering. A close peer in terms of institutional profile and disciplinary mix.
• South China Agricultural University: A Double First-Class agricultural university in Guangdong, comparable to QAU as a public provincial-tier agricultural university (though with higher tier designation). Strong overlap in agricultural biotechnology, animal science, and international cooperation programs.
• Hunan Agricultural University: Provincial agricultural university in Hunan with comparable comprehensive structure, agricultural science focus, and provincial university tier. Direct competitor in Chinese agricultural higher education rankings and overlapping research areas.

Broad incumbents

• Huazhong Agricultural University: A 211 and Double First-Class agricultural university in Wuhan. Comparable as a comprehensive agricultural university with research strengths in plant and animal sciences, biotechnology, and agricultural engineering—directly overlapping with QAU's core disciplinary strengths.
• Nanjing Agricultural University: Another 211 and Double First-Class agricultural university, comparable as a peer institution with overlapping research strengths in crop breeding, horticulture, and agricultural sciences. Like QAU, focuses on agricultural science but operates at a higher national tier.
• Northwest A&F University: 985 and Double First-Class agricultural university in Shaanxi, offering comparable agricultural science, life sciences, and engineering programs. Represents a similar comprehensive agricultural university model with strong technology transfer and extension service focus like QAU.
• China Agricultural University: The top-tier national agricultural university in China, directly comparable as an agricultural-focused comprehensive university. Operates as a 985/211 Double First-Class institution with significantly larger scale and prestige, representing QAU's primary benchmark for academic positioning in the same discipline space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/266629253440036

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Qingdao Agricultural University