职业本科，高考新宠

Group 1 - The article discusses the establishment of 23 new vocational undergraduate institutions in China, which is part of a broader initiative to enhance vocational education and meet the growing demand for skilled talent in the economy [2][4][6] - By 2025, the enrollment scale of vocational undergraduate education is expected to reach at least 10% of the higher vocational education enrollment scale, translating to approximately 500,000 students annually, compared to only about 90,000 in 2023 [2][4] - The new vocational undergraduate institutions are primarily established from high-quality public higher vocational colleges, particularly those recognized as "Double High" institutions, which are expected to attract a significant number of high school graduates [5][6] Group 2 - The article highlights the historical context of vocational education in China, noting that the push for undergraduate vocational education has only been in place for about a decade, with the first pilot institutions approved in 2019 [4][5] - The quality of education at these new institutions is emphasized, with many having strong historical backgrounds and high rankings in vocational education, which contributes to favorable enrollment conditions [6][9] - The article mentions the significant talent gap in the manufacturing sector, predicting a shortfall of nearly 30 million skilled workers by 2025, which underscores the importance of vocational education in addressing this issue [9][10] Group 3 - The vocational undergraduate programs are designed to focus on practical skills and applications, with a shift away from traditional academic assessments like thesis writing, reflecting a different evaluation mechanism compared to regular undergraduate programs [11][12] - The article notes that vocational undergraduate institutions are increasingly offering specialized programs in collaboration with industries, which enhances employability for graduates, with some students securing jobs even before graduation [14][15] - The enrollment strategies for vocational undergraduate programs are diversifying, including pathways for both high school graduates and vocational school students, which broadens access to vocational education [15][16]