Core Viewpoint - The adjustment of undergraduate programs in universities is crucial to meet the demands of economic and social development, as well as future needs [1] Group 1: Program Adjustments - Many universities are initiating adjustments to their undergraduate programs for the 2025 academic year, with a focus on optimizing their academic offerings [2] - Shenyang Aerospace University plans to add four new programs, including Low-altitude Technology and Engineering, while discontinuing six existing programs [2] - Northeast Normal University intends to withdraw seven programs, including Finance, and propose four new programs such as Data Science [3] - A total of 603 new programs have been proposed across over 150 universities, with a significant number focusing on emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy [3] Group 2: Policy and Strategic Direction - The Ministry of Education has issued guidelines emphasizing the need to align program offerings with national strategies, market demands, and technological advancements [4] - The guidelines encourage universities to develop programs in strategic emerging industries such as integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology [4] Group 3: Trends in Program Discontinuation - The number of discontinued programs is increasing due to factors like poor employment prospects and misalignment with societal needs [5] - The top five discontinued programs from 2020 to 2024 include Information Management and Information Systems, with 160 programs being cut [5] Group 4: Faculty Transition and Support - Universities are establishing measures to support faculty transitions when programs are discontinued, including reassignment to related fields or administrative roles [7] - Faculty members affected by program discontinuation may have opportunities to teach in related programs or transition to other academic roles [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the complexities and challenges faced by students in filling out college entrance examination (Gaokao) applications, highlighting the evolution of the application process and the emergence of a paid consultation market due to educational anxiety [6][40]. Group 1: Evolution of Application Process - The number of application choices has significantly increased over the years, with the introduction of various application models such as "post-exam estimated score" and "parallel application" systems [10][20]. - The "parallel application" model allows students to apply to multiple universities and programs, increasing the number of possible combinations to unprecedented levels, such as 270 combinations in Sichuan and 112 in Liaoning [22]. - The shift from limited choices in the past (3-5 options) to the current system reflects a broader trend in higher education reform aimed at reducing the "high score, low admission" phenomenon [9][19]. Group 2: Challenges in Application - A significant number of students report feelings of confusion and lack of direction when filling out applications, with over half indicating issues like "lack of career planning" and "unclear self-awareness" [33]. - The complexity of policies and the overwhelming amount of information contribute to decision paralysis, with students often feeling lost in the application process [34]. - The primary pain points identified include the difficulty in choosing a major and the overwhelming amount of information available, leading to a state of "double blindness" regarding personal interests and external job market demands [34][35]. Group 3: Market for Paid Consultation - The market for paid application consultation has grown significantly, expanding sevenfold from 1.3 million yuan in 2016 to an expected 9.5 million yuan by 2026 [38]. - The rise of this market is driven by educational anxiety, with many families seeking to improve their information integration efficiency despite the high costs associated with these services [38]. - The proliferation of consultation firms, many of which are newly established, has led to concerns about market regulation and the potential for misinformation [38]. Group 4: Student Preferences and Trends - Students prioritize the social recognition of schools over geographical location or specific majors, with over 40% considering school reputation as a critical factor in their application decisions [43]. - The focus on personal interests and employment prospects is evident in major selection, with students increasingly aware of the competitive job market [47]. - Despite the ongoing changes in higher education, popular majors remain relatively stable, with engineering and computer science consistently ranking at the top [53][54]. Group 5: Changes in Higher Education Landscape - The number of canceled university programs has increased significantly, with 1,670 programs canceled in 2023, reflecting a dynamic adjustment to align with societal needs and student employment expectations [51]. - The trend of program cancellations raises concerns among students about the stability and future of their chosen fields of study [51]. - The popularity of certain universities is shifting, with eastern universities gaining attention while some western institutions are losing their appeal [58].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the complexities and challenges faced by students in filling out college entrance examination (Gaokao) applications, highlighting the increasing number of choices and the associated anxiety that comes with it [1][2][3]. Historical Context - The Gaokao system has evolved significantly since its establishment in 1952, with various changes in the application process over the decades [4][5]. - Initially, students filled out their applications before taking the exam, relying on estimated scores, which often led to mismatches between scores and admissions [4]. - The introduction of post-exam application filling aimed to alleviate some of the pressure but did not completely resolve issues like "high scores but low admissions" [5][6]. Current Application Process - The current system includes "parallel application" methods, allowing students to apply to multiple institutions simultaneously, which reduces the risk of being denied admission despite high scores [10][11]. - The number of application choices has increased dramatically, with some provinces allowing up to 112 choices compared to only 36 in the past [14][11]. Information Gathering and Decision-Making - Students often prioritize understanding their own ranking and the admission rules over detailed knowledge of specific institutions [17][20]. - A significant portion of students report feeling confused and lacking career planning, which contributes to their anxiety during the application process [22][24]. Market for Application Services - The market for paid application services has grown significantly, expanding from 130 million yuan in 2016 to an estimated 950 million yuan by 2026 [27]. - The proliferation of companies in this space, many of which are newly established, has led to concerns about misinformation and market saturation [27]. Trends in University and Major Selection - Students increasingly value the social recognition of universities over geographical location or specific majors, with a focus on comprehensive rankings and professional strength [30][31]. - The job market's demands are influencing students' choices, with a notable preference for majors in engineering and technology fields, while traditional liberal arts majors are declining in popularity [39][40]. Changes in University Programs - There has been a significant increase in the number of programs being discontinued, with 1,670 programs cut in 2023 alone, reflecting the need for universities to adapt to changing job market demands [36][37]. - Despite the changes, popular majors like computer science remain consistently in demand, indicating a stable interest in certain fields [38][39]. Conclusion - The article emphasizes the ongoing challenges and evolving landscape of college admissions in China, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making and the impact of external factors on students' choices [46][47].

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent adjustments in higher education programs in China, reflecting the changing demands of the economy and technology, with a focus on new and emerging fields such as AI, low-altitude technology, and carbon neutrality [1][2][3] Group 1: New Programs and Trends - The Ministry of Education has added 29 new undergraduate programs for 2025, including fields like low-altitude technology and carbon neutrality, indicating a response to national strategic needs and market demands [1][3] - Over the past decade, there has been a significant shift in popular majors, with engineering and technology-related fields becoming increasingly prominent, while traditional fields like civil engineering have seen a decline [2][7] - A total of 3,424 programs have been added, removed, or adjusted across the country, showcasing the dynamic nature of higher education in response to societal needs [2][3] Group 2: Professional Adjustments and Market Alignment - The adjustments in higher education programs are closely tied to market demands, with a notable increase in programs related to national strategic needs and emerging technologies [10][17] - The article highlights that between 2014 and 2023, 6,636 undergraduate programs were removed, with a significant number of these being in fields that no longer align with job market needs [10][12] - The trend indicates a shift from degree-oriented education to competency-based education, emphasizing the importance of aligning educational offerings with labor market requirements [10][21] Group 3: Regional Development and Industry Needs - Various provinces are implementing initiatives to align higher education programs with regional industrial needs, with significant adjustments in program offerings to support local economic development [18][19] - The low-altitude economy is projected to become a major growth area, with the market expected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan by 2025, creating a demand for specialized talent in this field [17][18] - The Ministry of Education is promoting a broader alignment of undergraduate programs with regional development, indicating a continued trend of adapting educational offerings to meet local industry demands [20][21]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant changes in higher education in China, particularly the cancellation of traditional majors and the rise of new fields like artificial intelligence and big data, reflecting the evolving job market and educational needs [4][14][16]. Group 1: Major Cancellations and Trends - In 2024, a total of 1,428 academic programs were canceled, and 2,220 programs ceased enrollment, indicating a shift in educational focus [4][6]. - Engineering accounted for 32.84% of the canceled programs, followed by management (18.73%), with other fields like science and arts also seeing significant reductions [6][8]. - The most canceled major was Information Management and Information Systems, with 160 cancellations, followed by Public Administration with 138 [8]. Group 2: Impact on Students - Current students are directly affected by these changes, facing uncertainty and anxiety regarding their future career paths as their majors disappear [9][11]. - Students express feelings of despair and confusion about their professional identities, as seen in the experiences of students from various programs [9][12]. Group 3: Labor Market Dynamics - The labor market is undergoing transformation, with traditional programs failing to meet the evolving demands of employers, particularly in fields like Public Administration [14][15]. - New job roles in AI and digital sectors are emerging, but there is a mismatch between the skills taught in universities and the requirements of these roles [15][16]. - The demand for specialized skills in AI and data management is increasing, leading to the establishment of new programs in these areas [16][23]. Group 4: Future of Disappearing Majors - The cancellation of certain majors does not equate to a lack of demand for related skills; rather, it signifies a shift towards more relevant and specialized fields [18][21]. - The trend indicates that while some traditional fields may decline, the need for skilled professionals in emerging areas remains strong, necessitating continuous skill development [23][24].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government has issued guidelines to enhance the employment service system for university graduates, addressing the mismatch between the supply of graduates and market demand, particularly in light of the increasing number of graduates and the challenges they face in securing employment [1][2][3]. Group 1: Employment Service System - The guidelines outline a comprehensive employment service system for graduates, focusing on six key areas: talent cultivation supply system, guidance service system, job recruitment system, support for disadvantaged groups, monitoring and evaluation system, and support and guarantee system, with an emphasis on optimizing the talent cultivation supply system [1][3]. - In 2023, there will be 12.22 million university graduates entering the job market, an increase of 430,000 from the previous year, continuing a trend of over 10 million graduates for three consecutive years [1]. Group 2: Structural Mismatch - There is a structural mismatch between the supply of graduates and the demand from employers, with a significant shortage of skilled workers in areas such as welding and elderly care, despite a total of over 200 million skilled workers in China [2]. - The education system has lagged behind market innovations, with many universities failing to adjust their curricula and programs to meet the evolving needs of the job market [2][3]. Group 3: Policy Innovations - The guidelines propose a mechanism where the employment outcomes of graduates will influence university enrollment plans, creating a feedback loop that aligns educational offerings with market needs [4]. - The emphasis is placed on developing a national talent demand database and utilizing AI to analyze job market needs, which will guide universities in adjusting their programs accordingly [3][4]. Group 4: Employment Quality Evaluation - The guidelines stress the need for reform in employment evaluation, introducing innovative tools to assess the quality of graduate employment and incorporating these evaluations into university assessments [5]. - Career education and employment guidance will be made compulsory in universities, with a focus on developing high-quality teaching materials and training for employment guidance teachers [5].