The university understands the importance of top-quality high school education and is noted for its teacher-training programs. For example, it takes part in the MOE's Supporting Program for High-School Key Teachers, and is home to a winner of the MOE's High-School Excellent Young Teacher Award. 

There are 20 leaders in high-school teaching and scientific research in Yunnan, as well as 20 high-school famous teacher workshops. The university has four national teaching groups, 11 provincial teaching groups, an MOE innovation group, 12 provincial innovation groups, and seven provincial high-school technological innovation groups. Yunnan University is committed to excellence at all levels of China's educational system.

It is also active in talent and innovation development and cultural training. Many of its students were selected under the National Hundred, Thousand and Ten Thousand Talent Project or the 10,000 Talents Program for exceptional young talents. Five of its faculty were named as Leading Scientific Talents in Yunnan, ten as Yunling Scholars, and one as a Yunling Industrial Technological Leading Talent. 

Four of its students are recipients of the Yunnan Prosperity Talent Award, while 13 came to the university in the Program for Introduction of Overseas High-level Talents in Yunnan, 103 have been identified as young leaders in academics and technology and technological innovators in Yunnan, and 40 designated as backup young talents for leaders in academics and technology. 

Yunnan University hosts 12 provincial innovation groups, seven provincial high-school technological innovation groups and 15 provincial innovation groups for philosophy and social sciences. It is also home to the recipient of the 10th China Young Female Scientist Award.