(Yicai) Aug. 18 -- Universities across China are racing to train the workforce for the country’s fast-growing CNY1.5 trillion (USD210 billion) low-altitude economy, with the addition of a slew of new specialized technology and engineering degrees to plug a talent gap that could top one million in the coming years.

Among the 120 universities launching the new majors this year are Beihang University, the Beijing Institute of Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, South China University of Technology, and Northwestern Polytechnical University, the Ministry of Education revealed on Aug. 14.

China’s low-altitude economy -- or the economic activities that arise from manned or unmanned aerial vehicles operating at low altitudes, including the research, development, and manufacturing of aircraft, commercial operations, and infrastructure -- is growing apace, and is expected to more than double in value to CNY3.5 trillion by 2035, according to the Civil Aviation Administration. At the end of last year, China had over 20,000 businesses working in the drone industry.

Advancements in fifth-generation networking and artificial intelligence enable widespread applications of civilian drones across multiple industries, Yang Jincai, president of the Shenzhen Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Industry Association, said in an interview with CCTV Finance. The talent shortfall in the low-altitude economy could exceed one million in the coming years, he predicted.

In addition to degree courses in low-altitude technology and engineering, 56 universities will launch programs in cyberspace security, and 42 others will introduce sports training majors this year, reflecting the diversity and adaptability of Chinese universities in aligning academic offerings with market needs, according to the ministry.

At the same time, hundreds of universities are phasing out programs such as information management, information systems, and public administration because they have poor employment outcomes, cannot adapt to social changes, or do not fit an institution’s positioning.

Universities need to continuously adjust their academic program offerings in line with China’s socioeconomic development direction and future needs, and should channel resources into fields critical to national priorities and the high-caliber talent that the country urgently needs, Ding Changfa, associate professor at Xiamen University’s Department of Economics, told Yicai. 

This strategic optimization of resource allocation not only enhances educational quality but also effectively supports the economy’s healthy development, Ding added.

Editor: Futura Costaglione