Japanese media focus on China’s higher education reform
Kyodo News, October 3: China is implementing a policy reform that will initially categorize universities into two types—those oriented toward research and those focused on serving local economic needs through applied disciplines—each emphasizing distinct characteristics. For years, the development trajectories of Chinese universities have largely followed a similar pattern.
As higher education has become increasingly homogenized, a growing mismatch has emerged between corporate hiring demands and the career preferences of university graduates, becoming a persistent societal challenge. The classification initiative aims to better align educational outcomes with labor market needs and promote employment among young graduates.
Universities will be divided into three categories: research-oriented institutions, application-focused universities, and “skill-based” institutions dedicated to teaching advanced vocational competencies, with resource allocation adjusted accordingly.
Many Chinese university graduates continue to favor office-based careers, while positions in production and other frontline roles remain less appealing.
Meanwhile, intensified competition among universities for academic prestige has led to a surge in publication volume, yet without consistent standards to assess the quality of scholarly output.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1878048865638467/
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