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A total of 120 Chinese universities are set to introduce a new undergraduate major in low-altitude technology and engineering this year, marking it as the program with the most additions nationwide, according to the Ministry of Education.
Institutions such as Beihang University, the Beijing Institute of Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, South China University of Technology, and Northwestern Polytechnical University will launch the low-altitude technology and engineering major with the start of the upcoming semester in September, the ministry announced in its latest undergraduate program application materials released on August 14.
The low-altitude economy encompasses economic activities driven by both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles operating at low altitudes. This includes research, development, manufacturing, commercial operations, and infrastructure related to aircraft. As this sector experiences rapid growth, launching specialized undergraduate programs signifies the pressing need for skilled professionals.
China’s low-altitude economy is projected to reach a value of approximately 1.5 trillion yuan (around 210 billion U.S. dollars) this year, with expectations to grow to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. By the end of last year, more than 20,000 businesses had entered the drone industry.
Advances in 5G networks and artificial intelligence are increasingly enabling civilian drone applications across various industries, according to Yang Jincai, president of the Shenzhen Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Industry Association. He predicts that there could be a talent shortage exceeding one million in the low-altitude economy in the coming years.
In addition to launching programs in low-altitude technology and engineering, 56 universities will introduce new courses in cyberspace security, while 42 others plan to add sports training majors this year. These initiatives demonstrate the flexibility and responsiveness of Chinese higher education to evolving market demands, based on the ministry’s data.
Conversely, many institutions are phasing out programs such as information management, information systems, and public administration, citing low employment prospects, mismatch with societal needs, or misalignment with institutional focus.
Experts underscore the importance of universities continually adjusting their academic offerings to align with the country’s developmental goals and future needs. Focusing resources on fields crucial to national priorities and cultivating high-quality talents are essential strategies, said Ding Changfa, an associate professor at Xiamen University’s Department of Economics. Such strategic resource allocation not only improves educational quality but also supports the healthy growth of the economy.
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