By July 31, a total of 19 universities had suspended or canceled 99 courses, the news portal The Paper reported on Thursday, citing its own figures.

For example, Sichuan University is considering eliminating 31 majors, including animation, drama and applied physics, and establishing a new major in biomass science and engineering, the report said.

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The university said the major will replace “light chemical engineering” in the hope that it will not only support traditional industries such as tanning and papermaking, but also adapt to the future needs of the emerging biomass industry.

This move follows the Ministry of Education’s call to “adjust the structures of university degree programs and gifted education programs so that they better serve China’s modernization.”

According to research published last month by Wuhan’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the biggest changes in engineering majors over the past decade have been in engineering programs.

According to official data, the number of engineering courses at Chinese universities increased by 7,566 between 2013 and 2022. In addition, 96 new fields of study emerged, including robotics, AI and big data.

According to the research, the courses that were eliminated were often in the traditional engineering industry, while new courses – such as blockchain, integrated circuit design and cybersecurity – reflected emerging technologies, government strategies and regional economic development.

The Chinese government and ministries have repeatedly called for the development and promotion of technical talent.

On August 2, Vice Minister of Education Wu Yan called for vocational education in China to be “better aligned with industry development.” In an article in the CPPCC Daily, Wu said the ministry had encouraged universities to offer courses where talent was most needed.

The call comes from the top. In recent years, President Xi Jinping has pushed for an innovation-driven economy in competition with the United States and sought self-reliance in the face of Western sanctions that restrict access to semiconductors.

In a speech in June, Xi said China must “gain the moral high ground.”

“There are still some shortcomings (and) weaknesses,” Xi said, urging a strengthening of “national strategic scientific and technological forces” to “support basic research while promoting free exploration.”

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According to a recently released three-year government plan, China has also launched programs to train digital engineers, technicians and workers in big data, artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing, integrated circuits, data security and other fields.

As part of the plan, Chinese universities must introduce new courses related to the digital economy and improve interdisciplinary training.