Reference Message Network reported on April 26 that according to a report from the website of Hong Kong's "South China Morning Post" on April 22, the Ministry of Education has quickly approved 29 new university majors in order to meet the country's "strategic needs" and strive to cultivate talents needed for competition with the United States.

As this news was released by the Ministry of Education on April 22, China is facing high tariffs imposed by the U.S. on its export goods and strict sanctions on key technologies such as advanced semiconductors, forcing China to seek technological self-reliance and explore new growth areas.

The Ministry of Education stated in the announcement of this year's undergraduate professional directory of regular institutions of higher learning that it was the first time that the "extraordinary setting mechanism" was initiated during the approval process of new majors.

The Ministry said these majors target "strategic fields that have been newly deployed and highly concerned about by the Central Government."

It was reported that usually, universities must submit applications for new majors one year in advance. But according to the above statement, the Ministry of Education approved delayed submissions this year and also encouraged several universities to open important new majors.

Among the newly added majors, Beijing Foreign Studies University will offer "Regional and National Studies" in the next academic year, focusing on China's geopolitical strategic periphery. China is intensifying efforts to befriend neighboring countries to counteract U.S. trade pressure.

Three other universities—Fudan University in Shanghai, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, and Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications—will offer the major in "Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering" to supply urgently needed semiconductor engineers to society.

It was reported that the "China Integrated Circuit Industry Talent White Paper" released last year pointed out that due to the severe impact of U.S.-led restrictive measures, the Chinese chip industry still needs tens of thousands of employees.

The Ministry stated that in the field of artificial intelligence, several universities will offer majors focusing on AI education, intelligent audio-visual engineering, and digital drama, to promote the integration of artificial intelligence and industry.

A few technical universities will offer the major in "Low-altitude Technology and Engineering" to meet China's rapidly developing low-altitude economy demands.

Several universities will offer majors focusing on carbon neutrality science and engineering to promote China's green development initiatives; Tongji University in Shanghai will add a major in marine science and technology.

In view of the new demands brought about by China's rapidly aging population, three other universities will offer courses in geriatric medicine.

The Ministry stated that while adding nearly 1,840 new professional points at colleges and universities, more than 3,600 professional points were also abolished or suspended to better serve China's rapidly developing scientific research and industrial needs. (Translated by Liu Baiyun)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497556987794768420/

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