The School of Continuing Education at Shanghai Institute of Technology, originally known as the Department of Continuing Education, was established in September 2000. It was formed through the merger of the adult education management departments of three institutions: Shanghai Institute of Light Industry, Shanghai Institute of Metallurgy, and Shanghai Institute of Chemical Technology. In September 2006, the Department of Continuing Education was officially restructured into the School of Continuing Education. In 2016, the university established International Education Center, which is affiliated with the School of Continuing Education and led by the Dean of the School, who also serves as the Director of the Center.
The School of Continuing Education at Shanghai Institute of Technology serves as an important bridge for the university to serve society and is a significant channel for building a lifelong education system and a learning-oriented society. Continuing education, along with undergraduate, graduate, and higher vocational education, forms the talent training system of Shanghai Institute of Technology. The scope of its educational activities includes adult education at both undergraduate and associate degree levels, self-study exams, international education, training for government and enterprise units, and vocational skills training. Additionally, the school actively undertakes various social examinations.
The School is dedicated to creating a lifelong learning system for personal growth and career development.The digital learning resources and the rapid development of online&offline teaching models have seen more than 12,000 adult academic students. In 2021, the Advanced Mathematics course was recognized by the Ministry of Education of China as a "Model Course". The School has carried out dual-system teaching reforms, promoted the integration of industry and education. Focusing on the needs of economic and social development,the School develops non-degree on-the-job training. It has conducted a series of training programs in areas such as "Safety Engineering" "Chemical Engineering" "Perfume and Aroma" and "Civil Engineering" ,which reflect the university's disciplinary strengths. Integrating into the "Shanghai Service" branding initiative, the School is committed to offer training programs for high-end service professionals. It meets the strategic development needs of the Pujiang River Cruise by establishing an "Cruise Talent Training Base". In collaboration with the China Air Transport Association Shanghai Training Center, it has also established an "International Airline Talent Training Base" . The School offers high-skill talent certification training to enhance the employability of full-time students. The School also provides vocational skills training for the retired college soldiers. In response to the national "Silver Age Plan" to cope with the aging problem , the School vigorously promotes education for the elderly and community education.
The college actively undertakes special research projects from the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, including studies on "Constructing Standards for Business Administration Specialties in Adult Higher Education," "Transformation and Advancement of Continuing Education in Universities (System Mechanism Research and Non-Degree Course Resource Development)," "Construction of University-Enterprise Cooperation Non-Degree Continuing Education Bases (Aviation Services)," and "Shanghai Higher Education Continuing Education Learning Site Service Platform."
Located in the Xuhui campus, the School enjoys convenient transportation while offering a tranquil environment amidst the hustle and bustle. The School comprises three departments: General Management, Academic Affairs, and International Education and Business Development. In the new era of development, the School continuously serves to the community and society, meanwhile, contributes to building an educational system for professional, international and lifelong learning.
