China launches first four-year ‘pet' undergraduate programme
BEIJING: China Agricultural University (CAU) has introduced China's first undergraduate programme focused on companion animals to meet the growing talent needs of the pet industry, CCTV News reported.
Offered by the university's College of Animal Science and Technology, the programme will last four years, with graduates awarded a bachelor's degree in agricultural science.
It covers courses on variety breeding, nutrition and metabolism, feed processing, reproductive physiology and welfare and behaviour of companion animals. In 2025, the programme will enrol 50 undergraduate students.
'Companion animals, which live with human beings, conduct close communication and emotional exchanges, and bring happiness to people's lives, are often referred to as pets. This is why this programme is commonly called the 'pet' major,' said Professor Liu Guoshi, vice-dean of CAU's College of Animal Science and Technology.
Prof Liu said the new major aligns with market needs. The pet industry has become a new driving force of animal science, with a huge demand for professionals with expertise in companion animal care.
'In addition, there is a growing demand for pet-related professionals in universities, research institutions, animal clinics and relevant management departments and organisations,' he added.
A staff member at CAU's College of Animal Science and Technology said the programme's curriculum focuses on animals such as cats, dogs and horses. Graduates in this major are expected to have access to pet-related companies and equestrian clubs.
Previously, CAU offered similar programmes as the 'pet' major, including a master programme of companion animals at its Yantai Institute in Shandong province and a minor course of companion animal science, both of which have been well-received.
Research shows that China's urban pet (dog and cat) consumption market exceeded 300 billion yuan (US$42 billion) in 2024, with an annual compound growth rate of 11.9 per cent over the past decade. Additionally, there are over 500,000 pet-related companies across the country. - China Daily/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Tengku Zafrul discusses economic cooperation with Singapore, Indonesia leaders
KUALA LUMPUR: Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, held discussions with leaders from Singapore and his counterpart from Indonesia to enhance and strengthen economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the three neighbouring countries. "I had the opportunity to engage with counterparts from our neighbouring nations -- Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto. "Our main focus was to improve and deepen trilateral economic cooperation for our shared benefit," he said in a post on his X platform, adding that he is currently in Indonesia. Tengku Zafrul is one of four ministers accompanying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on his official visit to Indonesia today. Other ministers in the delegation include Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Higher Education Minister Senator Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Communications Minister Datuk Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil, and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Commenting further, Tengku Zafrul said the discussions, held against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical challenges, also touched on ASEAN's role in navigating the increasingly complex geoeconomic landscape. In 2024, Indonesia was Malaysia's sixth-largest global trading partner and the second-largest among ASEAN member states. During the same period, bilateral trade rose 4.5 per cent to RM116.29 billion (US$25.5 billion), from RM111.21 billion (US$24.39 billion) in 2023. In a statement on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, is making the visit in return for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's visit to Malaysia earlier this year. The visit includes bilateral meetings and attendance at the 46th ASEAN Summit, the Second ASEAN-GCC Summit, and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit held from May 26 to 27. "This visit also forms part of preparations for the 13th Annual Consultation between Malaysia and Indonesia, scheduled to take place later this year," the statement added.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Thai duty-free giant King Power gets airport payment relief
BANGKOK: Thailand's airport authority said Friday it had approved extended payment terms for duty-free giant King Power, after the company sought to quit its concessions citing a drop in tourist numbers. Airports of Thailand said King Power, which operates at five airports in the country, applied for a relief scheme for firms "facing liquidity problems" on 23 June. AOT told the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) its board had granted permission for the firm to split the minimum payments required for its contracts into installments, with the payment window extended by eight months. King Power must provide collateral of 1.45 billion baht (US$44.5 million) "to ensure its financial obligations in case of unexpected events", said a public statement to the SET. AOT shares fell 2.4 percent in Bangkok following the announcement. King Power, shirt sponsors for English football club Leicester City, has a monopoly on duty-free outlets at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, as well as those in Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai. The King Power Group also operates retail outlets and hospitality services around Thailand. Founder Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha led a consortium that bought Leicester City in 2010, and it was under his ownership that the Foxes secured their Premier League title in 2016.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Taiwan to slap anti-dumping duties on Chinese beer, steel for 4 months
TAIPEI: Taiwan said Friday it will slap anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made beer and hot-rolled steel for four months from July 3, claiming "substantial damage" to its industry. The finance ministry said in a statement that it and the economic affairs ministry "have preliminarily determined that there is dumping (of these products) and it has caused substantial damage to domestic industry." The ministry said the duties will be imposed for four months to "prevent our industry from continuing to suffer damage during the investigation." The levies on Chinese-made beer will range from 13.13 percent to 64.14 per cent while for steel they will be either 16.9 percent or 20.15 percent, it added. In March, Taiwan launched anti-dumping probes into Chinese-made beer and some steel products following complaints of unfair competition. Tensions are already high between the two sides, with Beijing claiming the self-ruled island as part of its territory and threatening to use force to bring it under its control. Taiwan currently has anti-dumping duties on 10 products, including eight from China, which is its largest trade partner, official data show. China was the biggest source of beer imports to Taiwan last year, Bloomberg News reported, with shipments topping US$125 million last year. Taiwan was also looking at whether low prices of certain Chinese hot-rolled steel products resulting from "long-standing overcapacity" in manufacturing were harming domestic players, according to the ministry.
