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(Yicai Global) Feb. 28 -- As the most college students ever prepare to graduate and the coronavirus epidemic puts pressure on employment opportunities, China is expanding the number of postgraduate places and encouraging graduates to study for further degrees.
There will be 8.74 million college and university graduates this year, 400,000 more than last year, Vice Minister of Education Weng Tiehui said at a press conference today. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security are actively looking for ways to ensure their job security, he added.
Centers of higher learning are being asked to admit an extra 322,000 students for bachelor's degrees and 189,000 more for master's programs, Weng said. Postgraduate courses would focus on majors in basic education, primary medical care and community services.
The MHRSS will offer millions of internships to graduates this year and next, Vice Minister You Jun said. It will grant subsidies to companies who provide three-to-12 month internships to graduates, he added. Graduates will also be encouraged to join the military, Weng said.
China's higher education system currently offers around 12,000 master's degree subjects and has 440,000 postgraduate lecturers.
Editor: Kim Taylor