Recently, the blockbusterNe Zha 2has taken the world by storm, with over 600 students from Jilin Animation Institute (JAI) participating in its creation and production. Since its establishment in 2000, JAI has cultivated nearly 60,000 students (including current enrollees). How has a private Chinese university contributed so extensively to China’s animation industry?
“It’s not justNeZha2, JAI students have participated in nearly all recent hit domestic animated films, such asMonkey King: Hero Is Back andThe Longest Day in Chang'an,” said Zheng Liguo, Chairman and President of JAI. For 25 years, JAI has adhered to itsIntegration ofEducation,Research, andIndustry model:Education-led, Scientific Research-supported, Industry-oriented. Educational instruction, technology R&D, and industrial practice promote and complement each other, fulfilling the original mission of nurturing talents for China's animation industry through achievements.
Rooted in this model, JAI has established industry-aligned academic clusters, built research platforms, and tailored programs to meet industry demands. Collaborative projects with enterprises provide students with hands-on practice and R&D opportunities, deepening the integration of education, technology, and entrepreneurship. This ecosystem transforms student assignments into artworks, products, and market-ready commodities.
“We adopt an outcome-driven approach to refine talent cultivation, addressing challenges in creative production. Our 10 schools each align with a specific industry sector, forming a complete industrial chain,” Zheng added.
JAI also collaborates with 95 institutions across 23 countries and regions, fostering academic exchanges, faculty-student mobility, and industry partnerships. “We invite globally renowned experts and host high-level forums to broaden students’ horizons,” said Liu Xin, Vice President of JAI. By integrating high-end industry projects into curricula, JAI ensures students gain real-world experience in film, gaming, and IP development during their studies.
Gao Liang, a 2022 undergraduate specializing in 3D animation at School of Animation, JAI, participated in the production of the industry project Frog Kingdom, gaining invaluable experience: “It bridges the gap between academia and the workplace. Chinese animation needs talents who understand traditional cultural aesthetics and master modern animation technology. The institute’s hands-on training system is key to fostering this ‘cross-dimensional’ expertise.”
Frog Kingdomis an original animated film series created by JAI, which has won multiple awards includingthe Best Works Award. The third installment,Frog Kingdom: Extreme Sports, saw upgraded production quality and involved over 350 faculty and students in its creation.
JAI promotes learning through practice by opening artistic projects, commercial ventures, and entrepreneurial initiatives to students, implementing a studio& project-based teaching model. ItsFront-Shop, Back-Factoryentrepreneurial framework attracts young faculty and student-led startups. Recognized for its efforts, JAI was named anExemplary Institution for Graduate Employmentby China’s Ministry of Education.
Zhou Qingyu, a 2022 JAI animation student, shared: “During project internships, industry mentors guide us through real-world workflows—from concept design to post-production—every step adheres to professional standards, ensuring a seamless transition between theory and practice.”
Such seamless transition explains why JAI graduates are widely praised for being “Competent and Quick to Adapt.” A hiring manager from ORIGINAL FORCE LTD. noted: “JAI prioritizes practical training through industry partnerships and real-project simulations, giving students a competitive edge early in their careers.”
Yu Miao, a graduate of JAI in 2005, serves as the storyboard director of TiMi Studio Group L1 Studio, overseeing the storyboard design of key characters and scenes such as Ne Zha and Ao Bing in the movie "Ne Zha 2. Miao mentioned that his studies at JAI equipped him with solid 2D animation skills and fostered his ability to innovate and collaborate.
Today, JAI alumni thrive at industry leaders like NetEase, Tencent, and Original Force. In 2024, JAI ranked 44th globally and 9th in Asia in the Animation Career Review’s world university rankings, marking its second consecutive year in the top 50. Since joining ASIFA in 2012, JAI has been awarded the National Animation Teaching and Research Base, National Animation Industry Base and National Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute.
Leveraging AI and emerging technologies, JAI drives cultural innovation and industrial upgrades, supporting Jilin Province’s efforts to build a new-quality productive forces cluster for the film industry. During a recent visit, Cao Lubao, Head of Jilin Provincial Publicity Department, emphasized: “We must harness JAI’s strengths to forge innovation alliances—integrating enterprises, resources, and AI—to advance cinematic creativity. Prioritize AI applications in film production, digital-driven operations, and market-oriented project implementation to extend technological and creative boundaries.”
