Top universities in China expand enrollment rates to improve capabilities in AI strategic areas
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Several of China’s top universities have announced plans to expand undergraduate enrollment to prioritize what they call “national strategic needs” and develop talent in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI).
Announcement released by Chinese universities after they launched an AI course based on AI startup DeepSeek in February, the course has attracted widespread attention.
The AI model it created rivals the most advanced in the United States but is built at a fraction of the cost and is described as a “moment of outbreak” in China.
Trusted news and daily joy are in your inbox
Watch it for yourself – Yodel is the go-to for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
Analysts say DeepSeek’s success is almost entirely composed of researchers from universities in the UK, highlighting Beijing’s investment in building a large local talent pool and the recent restrictions on Chinese student visas have allowed China to catch up with AI.
Peking University said on Saturday it will add 150 undergraduate attractions in 2025 to focus on areas of “national strategic importance,” basic disciplines and “emerging border areas.”
They will be primarily in information science and technology, engineering and clinical medicine.
Renmin University said on Saturday it will add more than 100 locations in areas such as AI to improve innovation.
It said the expansion was closely linked to the program’s “smart education nation” and focused on growing talent in the digital age.
Shanghai Heqiao University will add 150 attractions that focus on “cutting technology” and “impulsively needed” in AI, integrated circuits, biomedical, healthcare and new energy.
China released its first national action plan in January to build a “strong education country” by 2035 to help coordinate its educational development, improve innovation efficiency and build a “strong country.”
In December, education authorities said they would start AI education in primary and secondary schools to develop students’ creativity, scientific interests and digital skills.
(Report of Farah Master Farah in Hong Kong; other reports by Eduardo Baptista in Beijing; editor of Michael Perry)
