Group 1 - Zhejiang University announced an expansion of its undergraduate enrollment for 2025, particularly in the artificial intelligence field, and introduced a series of innovative talent training programs [1] - Several prestigious universities in China, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, and China Agricultural University, have also announced plans to increase their undergraduate enrollment, with a total increase of approximately 20,000 students aimed for this year [1][2] - The expansion of quality undergraduate education is emphasized in the "Education Strong Country Construction Plan Outline (2024-2035)" and the government work report, indicating a strategic push towards enhancing higher education quality [1][2] Group 2 - The focus of the enrollment expansion is on cultivating interdisciplinary talents in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, biomedicine, healthcare, and renewable energy [2] - Tsinghua University is establishing a new general education college aimed at nurturing talents with AI thinking and interdisciplinary knowledge, while Renmin University is focusing on AI and smart governance in its enrollment plans [2] - Other universities, such as China Agricultural University and University of Electronic Science and Technology, are aligning their expansion with national strategic needs, particularly in areas like food security and electronic information technology [2] Group 3 - Basic disciplines and interdisciplinary studies are also receiving attention, with universities like Sichuan University and Hunan University increasing enrollment in these areas [3] - Many institutions are introducing integrated master's and bachelor's programs and dual degree options to foster innovative and interdisciplinary talents [3]

Group 1: Education Policy Overview - The central government issued an opinion to further guarantee and improve people's livelihoods, focusing on addressing urgent educational needs [1] - The Ministry of Education emphasized the need to adapt educational resource allocation to population changes, aiming to expand quantity, improve quality, and promote equity in basic education [3][4] Group 2: Basic Education Expansion - The plan includes building and renovating over 1,000 quality ordinary high schools to address the shortage of high school seats [4] - By 2024, 5,527 new or renovated primary and secondary schools will be established, adding 1.21 million public school seats [4] - The proportion of recognized quality basic education schools increased from 20.4% in 2023 to 28.9% in 2024, an increase of 8.5 percentage points [4] Group 3: High School Enrollment Trends - In 2024, high school enrollment reached 10.362 million, a record increase of 684,000 from the previous year, marking the highest growth in 20 years [5] - The number of students enrolled in high schools reached 29.223 million, with an increase of 1.187 million from the previous year [5] Group 4: Higher Education Development - The government plans to improve conditions, optimize structures, and promote industry-education integration in higher education [11] - The focus will be on increasing the enrollment of "Double First-Class" universities by 20,000 students in 2025, building new dormitories and campuses to support this expansion [11][12] Group 5: Educational Quality and Structure - The emphasis is on enhancing the quality of education alongside quantity, with a focus on balanced and equitable development [7][8] - The introduction of new programs and micro-majors in universities aims to align education with social and economic needs, enhancing students' employability [13][14]

作 者丨王峰 编 辑丨陈洁 图 源丨2 1世纪经济报道 还有不到10天，2025年高考就将开考。 2025年全国高考报名人数1335万人，比去年减少7万 人。 2025年高考报名人数小幅下降，结束了此前连续7年的增长，叠加部分院校扩招，焦灼的升学 竞争或有所缓解；但高考报名人数仍处于高位，优质本科特别是名校的招生名额依然稀缺。 高考报名、招生人数变化的背后，是我国高等教育格局的变化。 福耀科技大学今年将首次招生，招生计划仅50人，但首年预算高达8亿元，这所新型研究型大 学"不惜重金"培养人才，势必会吸引众多学子报考。有的民办高校却陷入招生难，缺额高的多 达千人，靠征求志愿勉强完成招生计划。 随着人口形势和学生需求的变化，高校招生"市场"势必相应变化，高校要调整办学定位和专业 设置，深化高等教育供给侧结构性改革。 报名人数和录取难度走势 2018—2024年，我国高考报名人数连年上涨，从975万人增长至1342万人， 7年里增长近 38%。 | | | 近年来高考报名人数与录取人数概况 | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | स्टेसि | 高考报名人数 | 普通、职业 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the expansion of undergraduate enrollment in "Double First-Class" universities in China, highlighting a strategic shift towards quality over quantity in higher education, particularly in response to national development needs and industry demands [4][6][15]. Group 1: Enrollment Expansion - The National Development and Reform Commission aims to increase the enrollment scale of "Double First-Class" universities by 20,000 students in 2025, following an increase of 16,000 students last year [2][6]. - Top universities such as Tsinghua and Peking University have announced plans to expand undergraduate enrollment in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence [4][5]. - In Guangdong, universities like Sun Yat-sen University plan to increase their undergraduate enrollment by 90 students in 2025, contributing to a broader trend of gradual enrollment increases across the region [12][13]. Group 2: Strategic Focus Areas - The expansion of enrollment is primarily directed towards "bottleneck" disciplines such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, and biomedicine, as well as foundational and interdisciplinary fields [15][18]. - The emphasis on quality expansion aligns with the national strategy to cultivate high-quality innovative talents needed for economic development and technological advancement [8][16]. - The article notes that the enrollment increase is not merely about numbers but aims to address specific market needs and enhance the quality of education [5][9]. Group 3: Regional Implications - The article highlights that the Guangdong region is experiencing a notable trend of enrollment expansion, with universities gradually increasing their capacities to meet local economic demands [11][14]. - The "Million Talents Gathering in South Guangdong" initiative reflects the region's desire to attract high-level talents, emphasizing the importance of aligning educational offerings with industry needs [17]. - The development of interdisciplinary programs in response to technological advancements is seen as crucial for fostering innovation and meeting the demands of emerging industries [18].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the expansion of high-quality undergraduate programs in China, highlighting the increase in enrollment numbers at top universities while also addressing the reduction of liberal arts programs, suggesting a shift towards interdisciplinary studies and the integration of liberal arts with science and technology [1][2][3]. Group 1: Expansion of Undergraduate Programs - The Chinese government aims to increase the enrollment of "double first-class" universities, with an additional 20,000 students planned for 2025, following a previous increase of 16,000 students [1]. - Tsinghua University and Peking University have announced plans to expand their undergraduate admissions by 150 students each, focusing on fields such as artificial intelligence and clinical medicine [5][6]. - Other 985 universities, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Xi'an Jiaotong University, are also expanding their enrollment, with a focus on emerging fields like AI, integrated circuits, and biomedical sciences [5][7]. Group 2: Reduction of Liberal Arts Programs - The trend of reducing liberal arts programs has sparked discussions, with Fudan University's president stating that the proportion of liberal arts admissions will decrease from 30-40% to 20% [2][9]. - Despite the reduction, data from the C9 university alliance indicates that liberal arts programs will not disappear, but rather undergo adjustments to better align with societal needs [9][11]. - The article emphasizes that while liberal arts may face cuts, they still hold significant importance in comprehensive universities, with a substantial number of students and faculty dedicated to these fields [11][13]. Group 3: Interdisciplinary Focus - The article suggests that the future of liberal arts lies in interdisciplinary integration, with universities developing programs that combine liberal arts with science and technology [3][15]. - Examples include Tsinghua University offering cross-disciplinary programs in political economy and creative design, and Fudan University launching new programs like neurolinguistics and data intelligence [18][19]. - The shift towards interdisciplinary studies is seen as a response to the evolving job market and societal demands, indicating a need for graduates who possess a blend of skills from both liberal arts and sciences [16][17].