2024-09-03
24 分钟Discussion keeps the world turning.
This is Roundtable.
Hello.
Welcome to Roundtable, where we serve up piping hot debates on the issues that sizzle in China and beyond.
I'm Nih Hong lin.
As the school year kicks off, students across China are settling into their routines, choosing courses and planning their academic futures.
But behind the scenes, universities are making some significant changes.
Today, Roundtable invites you to take a look at the world of university programs, why some are disappearing now new ones are emerging, and what this means for students navigating the ever changing landscape of higher education.
For this episode, I'm joined by Li Yi and Steve Hatherley.
Now grab your virtual compass and follow us to the heart of the discussion.
Universities across China are shaking things up and some programs didnt make the cut.
But dont worry, because with every door that closes, a window to some new and possibly cooler major opens according to China Science Daily, this year 20 universities has announced the cancellation or suspension of over 100 programs.
According to the Ministry of Education, this years program additions, cancellations and adjustments involved around 3400 program locations.
It's the highest number in history.
So why are universities canceling programs in bulk?
And what are exactly the kind of majors that's been cancelled?
Yeah, as you said, I think this year, actually every year from July to August, is really the peak season for universities and colleges to apply for this adjustment to their programs for the new school year.
However, as you said, this year is particularly different as many universities have announced that the cancellation of numerous programs in large numbers, and among those programs that have seen this cancellation of majors, I think one program really stands out, that is engineering, according to a Beijing daily report in late August.
And they have compared different undergraduate programs that have seen cancellation of majors during the past five years, including engineering, management, law, art, literature, education and science.
And data show that engineering programs have seen the most cancellations of college majors during the past five years, accounting for nearly 31% among all the programs and meantime is followed by management and science programs and art programs also have seen 13% of cancellation of majors.