Group 1: Education System Development - The Chinese government has made significant progress in building a high-quality education system during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, with the gross enrollment rate for preschool education increasing from 64.5% in 2012 to 92% in 2024, a rise of 27.5 percentage points [1] - The gross enrollment rate for higher education has more than doubled from 30% in 2012 to 60.8% currently, marking a transition into a universally recognized stage of higher education [1] - During the "14th Five-Year Plan," China has trained 55 million talents through higher education, equivalent to the total population of many developed countries [1] Group 2: "Double First-Class" Initiative - The "Double First-Class" initiative is a key project for building a strong education system, focusing on the development of first-class universities and disciplines [2] - This initiative has resulted in over 50% of master's and 80% of doctoral graduates coming from "Double First-Class" universities, which also undertake over 90% of national high-level talent training tasks [2] - The initiative emphasizes the integration of education and industry, with universities collaborating with enterprises to address innovative challenges and share outcomes [2][3] Group 3: Innovation and Research Achievements - "Double First-Class" universities have made significant contributions to key technological fields such as quantum technology, life sciences, artificial intelligence, material sciences, and space sciences, enhancing their strategic position in basic research [3] - The initiative has also led to an overall elevation of higher education standards across the country, with support for over 400 local high-level universities and 1,300 advantageous disciplines [3] - A total of 96 "Double First-Class" universities have provided support to 116 universities in central and western regions, improving their educational quality [3] Group 4: Vocational Education Development - Vocational education is crucial for transitioning from "Made in China" to "Created in China," supplying over 70% of new high-quality skilled talents for modern industries [4] - China has established the world's largest vocational education system, with 9,302 secondary vocational schools, 1,562 higher vocational schools, and 87 vocational undergraduate institutions, serving 34 million students [5] - The education department has adjusted the professional structure to align with national strategies, adding 12,000 new professional points over five years, with 50% focused on engineering and technology [5]

Core Viewpoint - The emergence of new research-oriented universities in China is reshaping the landscape of higher education, attracting high-scoring students and challenging traditional 985 universities [1][2][3]. Group 1: New Research-Oriented Universities - Eight new research-oriented universities have been established in China, including Southern University of Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, and Fuyou University, among others [1]. - Fuyou University, funded by entrepreneur Cao Dewang, has gained attention for its high admission scores, with the lowest score being 658 in Henan province [2]. - The new universities are characterized by smaller student bodies and a focus on popular and emerging fields of study, which enhances their appeal to high-achieving students [7]. Group 2: Admission Performance - New research-oriented universities have successfully attracted high-scoring candidates, with some students scoring above 680, which is competitive with top traditional universities like Zhejiang University [5][6]. - In Guangdong province, Southern University of Science and Technology and Shenzhen University have surpassed traditional 985 universities in admission scores, indicating a shift in student preferences [3]. Group 3: Educational Approach - New universities emphasize research and practical experience, with students spending significant time in laboratories and engaging in research projects from their first year [9][10]. - The educational model includes a "4+1" system, allowing students to balance coursework with hands-on research, thereby enhancing their academic and practical skills [11]. Group 4: Industry Collaboration - New universities are actively collaborating with industries to enhance their educational offerings, with partnerships established for joint research and development projects [12][13]. - Fuyou University and Ningbo Oriental University have formed alliances with major companies to create integrated education and research environments, aligning academic training with industry needs [12][14].

Core Points - The emergence of new research-oriented universities in China is reshaping the higher education landscape, attracting high-scoring students and challenging traditional 985 universities [1][2][3] - New research universities like Fuyou University and Ningbo Oriental University are gaining attention for their unique admission strategies and high academic standards [2][3][6] - The competitive admission scores of these new universities indicate a shift in student preferences towards institutions with clear educational goals and strong industry connections [6][7] Group 1: New University Landscape - Eight new research-oriented universities have been established in China, including Fuyou University and Ningbo Oriental University, with some achieving impressive admission scores [1][2] - Fuyou University, funded by entrepreneur Cao Dewang, has become a standout institution, attracting high-scoring students in various provinces [2][3] - The admission scores of these new universities often exceed those of traditional 985 universities, indicating a significant shift in the higher education landscape [3][5] Group 2: Admission Trends - New research universities are successfully attracting high-scoring candidates, with some students achieving scores above 680, comparable to top-tier institutions like Zhejiang University [5][6] - The admission strategies of these universities, which focus on popular and emerging fields, contribute to their appeal among prospective students [6][7] - The competitive nature of admissions at these new institutions reflects a changing dynamic in student choices, moving away from traditional universities [2][3] Group 3: Educational Approach - New research universities emphasize a hands-on, research-oriented educational model, allowing students to engage in scientific research from early in their academic careers [8][9][10] - Institutions like Shenzhen University implement innovative training models, such as the "4+1" system, to enhance students' practical skills and industry exposure [9][10] - The focus on integrating education with industry needs positions these universities as key players in developing talent for emerging sectors [11][12] Group 4: Industry Collaboration - New universities are forming partnerships with leading companies to create joint research and training programs, enhancing their educational offerings [11][12] - Fuyou University and Ningbo Oriental University have established collaborations with major corporations, facilitating resource sharing and practical training opportunities for students [11][12] - The emphasis on industry collaboration aligns with national strategies to cultivate skilled engineers and innovators, reflecting a commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - The emergence of new research-oriented universities in China is reshaping the landscape of higher education, attracting high-scoring students and challenging traditional 985 universities [1][2][5]. Group 1: New Research-Oriented Universities - Eight new research-oriented universities have been established in China, including Southern University of Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, and others, with some like Fuyou University and Ningbo Oriental University recently enrolling their first undergraduate students [1][2]. - These universities have shown impressive admission scores, with some surpassing traditional 985 universities in terms of minimum admission scores [2][5]. Group 2: Admission Performance - New research-oriented universities have successfully attracted high-scoring candidates, with institutions like Westlake University and Fuyou University recording minimum scores that are competitive with top-tier universities [5][6]. - In Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology and Shenzhen University of Technology have achieved high admission scores, surpassing established universities like Sun Yat-sen University [7]. Group 3: Educational Approach - New research-oriented universities emphasize a "small but elite" model, focusing on popular and emerging fields of study, which influences their admission performance [10]. - Institutions like Shenzhen University of Technology implement innovative educational models, allowing students to engage in research from the first semester and spend significant time in laboratories [14][15]. Group 4: Industry Collaboration - New research-oriented universities are actively engaging in industry collaboration, with Fuyou University and Ningbo Oriental University partnering with major companies to enhance their educational offerings and research capabilities [18][19]. - The focus on practical engineering skills is evident, with a strong emphasis on producing graduates who are ready to tackle real-world challenges in the industry [20].

Group 1 - The emergence of new research-oriented universities in China is reshaping the higher education landscape, attracting high-scoring students and challenging traditional 985 universities [1][2][3] - New research universities such as Fuyou University and Ningbo Oriental University have successfully enrolled high-achieving students, with Fuyou University achieving a minimum score of 658 in Henan province [2][3] - The competitive admission scores of these new universities indicate a shift in student preferences, with some new institutions surpassing established universities in terms of admission scores [5][6] Group 2 - New research universities are characterized by their small and specialized nature, focusing on popular and emerging fields, which contributes to their appeal among high-scoring candidates [7] - The innovative educational approaches of these universities, including early laboratory access and research opportunities, enhance student engagement and practical experience [9][10] - Partnerships with industry leaders, such as Fuyou University collaborating with major automotive companies, facilitate a strong connection between education and industry needs [12][14] Group 3 - The establishment of national-level engineering colleges and innovation research institutes aims to align talent development with regional industrial needs, further integrating education with practical applications [13] - The focus on producing innovative and entrepreneurial talent is evident in the educational strategies of these new universities, which emphasize hands-on experience and real-world problem-solving [14]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the significance of the "engineer dividend" in China's economic growth, highlighting the need for high-quality human resources, particularly engineers, to drive the next phase of economic development [1][6]. Group 1: Engineer Workforce Growth - China's engineer workforce has grown from 521,000 in 2000 to 1,765,300 in 2020, an increase of approximately 3.4 times, with an annual growth rate of 6.3% [2]. - In 2020, the total number of scientists and engineers in China was 1.2 times that of the EU, 2.6 times that of the US, 5.1 times that of the UK, 5.5 times that of Germany, 9 times that of France, and 16.4 times that of Italy [2]. Group 2: Impact on Industry - The "engineer dividend" has facilitated the transformation of industries from labor-intensive to technology-intensive, leading to the emergence of advanced manufacturing companies [2]. - BYD, for instance, has grown from a startup with 20 employees to a global enterprise with nearly 1 million employees, driven by an engineering spirit and a workforce of over 100,000 engineers by 2024 [2]. Group 3: Education and Talent Development - There is a need for improved quality in the engineer workforce, as a significant portion (nearly 40%) holds only an associate degree, while less than 9% have master's or doctoral degrees [3]. - The ideal structure of the engineer workforce should maintain a reasonable ratio among outstanding engineers, field engineers, technical personnel, and industrial workers [3]. Group 4: National Initiatives - The "Outstanding Engineer" program was established as a strategic talent initiative by the Central Talent Work Conference in September 2021, with recognition of outstanding engineers and teams in January 2024 [4]. - The Ministry of Education is promoting the development of "new engineering" disciplines and has established national outstanding engineer innovation research institutes in key regions [4]. Group 5: Innovative Training Mechanisms - Effective engineer training requires integration of education and industry, with new organizational structures like the National Outstanding Engineer Colleges being established [5]. - The training mechanism includes joint enrollment and training between universities and enterprises, allowing students to spend more time in practical settings [5]. Group 6: Addressing Talent Shortages - Despite the ongoing release of the "engineer dividend," there is a shortage of top-tier engineers, necessitating an expansion of quality undergraduate and graduate education to cultivate outstanding engineers [6].