On December 24, 2025, the International School of Design at Dongguan University of Technology was invited to attend a art toy industry talent sharing event hosted by Shipai Town, Dongguan. During the event, the School signed expert advisor agreements with two leading companies, launching a university-industry-government collaboration model to support Dongguan in building itself into a globally influential "China's Art Toy Capital."

As the core hub of the city's art toy industry, Shipai Town has established a complete industry chain covering design, prototyping, production, and sales, supported by a specialized policy system including business incentives and talent housing. Dr. Zhang Yanhong, Associate Dean of the International School of Design, delivered a keynote speech outlining a three-stage model for art toy talent development. She shared the School's achievements in integrating production, education, research, and application, as well as its internationalization strategy, emphasizing its commitment to cultivating interdisciplinary talents with both global vision and local innovation capabilities.

This agreement marks a new phase of dual-driven collaboration between the School and Shipai's art toy industry, focusing on both talent cultivation and talent deployment. The two parties will deepen cooperation in original IP incubation and design R&D, helping to move the industry chain toward higher-value design and branding, and providing both innovation and talent to support Dongguan in building a globally competitive art toy industrial cluster.