Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the introduction of new undergraduate majors in Chinese universities for 2025, highlighting the significant focus on low-altitude technology and engineering, which is expected to become a leading field in the coming years due to the burgeoning low-altitude economy [2][4][5]. Group 1: New Undergraduate Majors - A total of 239 new undergraduate majors have been proposed, with 863 applications from various universities, including prestigious institutions like Fudan University and Nanjing University [2]. - The low-altitude technology and engineering major has the highest number of applications, with 120 universities applying, indicating a strong demand for talent in this emerging field [4][5]. - Other new majors include network space security, information security, and various educational disciplines such as sports training and artificial intelligence education, reflecting a diverse range of employment opportunities [2][5]. Group 2: Employment Opportunities - The introduction of new majors is primarily driven by employment needs, with the education sector being the largest employer of university graduates, accounting for 13.9% of employment in 2024 [9]. - There is a significant talent gap in low-altitude technology, with an estimated annual demand for 4,000 professionals, while only 360 students are expected to be admitted in the first year [5]. - The education sector is experiencing a recovery, with a rising trend in employment opportunities, particularly in artificial intelligence education, where there is a reported shortage of over 500,000 qualified teachers [10][9]. Group 3: Industry Trends - The low-altitude economy is on the verge of rapid development, supported by technological advancements and policy backing, necessitating a skilled workforce to sustain growth [5][6]. - The sports industry is also evolving, with new majors in sports training and management being established to meet the demand for high-level sports talent, driven by recent policy changes [12][13]. - The sports industry has shown significant growth, with an annual increase of 11.6% in value added, indicating a shift towards becoming a pillar industry in the economy [14].

Group 1: New Undergraduate Programs - The Ministry of Education announced 239 new undergraduate programs for 2025, totaling 863 applications from various universities, including top institutions like Fudan University and Nanjing University [1][2] - The most popular new program is Low Altitude Technology and Engineering, with 120 universities applying, indicating a significant push towards developing talent in the low-altitude economy [1][2] - Other new programs include disciplines in sports training, artificial intelligence education, and e-sports management, reflecting a growing demand for skilled professionals in these areas [1][5] Group 2: Employment Trends - The education sector remains the largest employer for university graduates, with a reported employment rate of 13.9% for the 2024 cohort, showing a recovery trend since the "double reduction" policy in 2021 [5][6] - There is a significant talent gap in low-altitude technology, with an estimated annual demand for 4,000 professionals against a planned enrollment of only 360 students in the first batch of universities offering this program [2][3] - The introduction of new programs is largely driven by employment needs, with both new and traditional sectors creating job opportunities through transformation and innovation [1][5] Group 3: Industry Development - The low-altitude economy is on the verge of rapid growth, supported by technological advancements and government policies, yet faces challenges such as talent shortages and market fluctuations [2][3] - The sports industry is also evolving, with a 11.6% annual growth rate in value added since the 14th Five-Year Plan, indicating a shift towards becoming a pillar industry in the economy [12] - The establishment of new programs in sports training and related fields aims to address the demand for high-level sports talent in educational institutions and the broader sports industry [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rapid rise of the low-altitude economy in China, highlighting the government's strategic focus on developing related educational programs to meet the growing demand for talent in this emerging sector [3]. Group 1: Low-Altitude Economy - The Ministry of Education announced the addition of 869 new undergraduate programs for 2025, with the most significant increase in low-altitude technology and engineering, totaling 120 new programs [3]. - The low-altitude economy encompasses activities related to civil manned or unmanned aircraft flying at low altitudes, including aircraft research and manufacturing, commercial operations, and infrastructure development [3]. - The low-altitude economy has been recognized as a strategic emerging industry by the Central Economic Work Conference and included in the government work report as a "new growth engine" [3]. Group 2: Educational Program Adjustments - The optimization and adjustment of university programs reflect the changing demand for professional talent in the economy, with many top universities establishing new colleges focused on fields like artificial intelligence and aerospace technology [5]. - The number of canceled programs has also increased due to poor employment prospects or misalignment with societal needs, with the top five canceled programs from 2020 to 2024 being Information Management and Information Systems (160), Public Administration (138), Information and Computing Science (123), Marketing (104), and Product Design (93) [5]. - The importance of aligning educational programs with economic and societal development needs is emphasized, advocating for the efficient allocation of resources to cultivate high-demand talents [5].

Group 1 - The Ministry of Education plans to add 869 new undergraduate programs for the 2025 academic year, with a focus on low-altitude technology and engineering, which accounts for the largest share at 120 new programs [1] - The low-altitude economy is rapidly emerging, defined as the economic activities derived from civil manned or unmanned aircraft flying at low altitudes, encompassing aircraft R&D, commercial operations, and infrastructure development [1] - The central government has recognized the low-altitude economy as a strategic emerging industry, emphasizing its importance in government work reports and meetings [1][2] Group 2 - In addition to low-altitude technology, the cybersecurity program is set to add 56 new programs, while sports training will see 42 new programs, reflecting the changing demand for professional talent in society [2] - The optimization and adjustment of university programs are accelerating in response to the evolving needs of the economy, with many top-tier universities establishing new colleges focused on fields like artificial intelligence and aerospace technology [2] - A significant number of programs are being cut due to poor employment prospects or misalignment with societal needs, with the top five most canceled programs from 2020 to 2024 being information management, public administration, and others [2] Group 3 - Experts emphasize the importance of aligning higher education programs with economic and social development needs, advocating for the optimization of resources to focus on high-demand fields and advanced talent cultivation [3]

Group 1 - Tianjin University has added three new undergraduate programs: Smart Building and Construction, Preventive Medicine, and Sports Training, focusing on national needs and interdisciplinary integration [1][2] - The Smart Building and Construction program aims to cultivate top talents for complex modern engineering, with a four-year curriculum and involvement of international architects and renowned scholars [1] - The Preventive Medicine program, featuring emergency medicine, will train high-level professionals with interdisciplinary integration capabilities, targeting a recruitment scale of 30 students per year and a five-year curriculum [1] Group 2 - The Sports Training program will be launched in the second half of 2025, aligning with the strategic needs of a strong sports nation and a healthy China, and will collaborate with the Tianjin Sports Bureau on volleyball and basketball projects [2] - The program will leverage Tianjin University's strengths in engineering, medicine, and management, and will be supported by a faculty that includes five retired national team athletes, four of whom are international-level competitors [2]