Core Insights - The Ministry of Education has updated the "Directory of Undergraduate Majors in General Higher Education (2025)", adding 29 new majors to better align with national strategic needs and high-quality development [1] Group 1: New Majors - The new directory includes 93 categories and 845 types of majors, reflecting a comprehensive response to national strategy, market demand, and technological advancements [1] - Newly added majors include Regional Studies, Carbon Neutral Science and Engineering, Marine Science and Technology, and Health and Medical Security, which are aligned with national strategic needs [1] - To address technological frontiers, new majors such as Intelligent Molecular Engineering, Medical Devices and Equipment Engineering, and Spatiotemporal Information Engineering have been introduced [1] Group 2: Market Demand Adaptation - The updated directory also includes majors that respond to market demands, such as International Cruise Management and Aviation Sports [1] - A focus on artificial intelligence's role in economic and social development is evident with the introduction of majors like Artificial Intelligence Education, Intelligent Audiovisual Engineering, and Digital Drama [1]

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 Insights - The introduction of the International Cruise Management major in 2025 reflects the growing demand for high-end cruise talent in China as the country's cruise industry gains international competitiveness [1][11] - The curriculum focuses on various aspects of cruise operations, including route planning, high-end service, safety, environmental considerations, and efficient operations [3][6] - The cruise economy is experiencing rapid growth, driven by favorable policies such as visa-free entry for cruise passengers, which has significantly increased tourist arrivals [11][18] Industry Overview - The cruise industry is becoming a new hotspot in China's tourism market, with predictions of entering a second golden decade of development after a recovery period in 2024 and 2025 [18] - The "Aida·Magic City" cruise ship has seen substantial operational activity, with over 4000 passengers served per voyage and a diverse international crew [12][16] - The demand for skilled professionals in international cruise management and operations is increasing due to the expanding market and the introduction of new cruise routes [16][18]