As the new academic year commences, universities have introduced a wave of new undergraduate programmes. This year, the Ministry of Education has added 38 new undergraduate majors, with cutting-edge fields such as embodied intelligence, smart plant protection, and international organisations and global governance making their debut. What exactly do these new majors entail, and what are the job prospects for their graduates?

Embodied Intelligence Emerges as a Top New Engineering Discipline

What kind of interdisciplinary talent does the robotics industry require? A total of nine universities nationwide have received approval to offer the first undergraduate programmes in embodied intelligence, with Xi'an Jiaotong University being the only institution in Western China to do so. What does this novel major teach, and how does it differ from traditional engineering courses?

In the underwater robotics laboratory at Xi'an Jiaotong University, Wu Xinyu, who has a physics background, is collaborating with teammates specialising in mechanical and software engineering to solve a "robot head-diving" issue. Wu explains that robotics is a highly interdisciplinary field. A seemingly simple problem like head-diving, which appears to be a matter of attitude instability, actually involves a complex interplay of knowledge systems including physical theory, mechanical structures, and electronic control algorithms.

The university has established an Embodied Intelligence Research Institute in partnership with industry, where students are currently supplementing their skills in areas like robot operating systems and embedded control. Hu Zhenbang, a senior engineer at a robotics company's R&D centre, notes that while engineers specialising in a single field are easy to find, there is a persistent shortage of versatile talents who can integrate mechanics, algorithms, and software, and possess a holistic view of the entire machine. This mismatch between talent supply and demand is precisely the motivation behind universities and enterprises co-founding research institutes and jointly cultivating personnel.

Zhang Liqun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Xi'an Jiaotong University, states that curriculum design must be based on big data from the job market and also require foresight. Humanoid robots could form a massive industry in the future, needing professionals from fields such as mechanical engineering, computer science, materials, electrical engineering, and energy. The university's embodied intelligence programme covers areas like embodied intelligent robots, intelligent manufacturing, high-end equipment maintenance, intelligent driving, and brain-computer interaction.

What particularly caught our attention is that brain-computer interfaces, which seem more aligned with medicine, are also a key direction within the new major. In the lab, students can command a quadruped robot to complete a full set of instructions—moving and turning—without using a joystick or keyboard, relying solely on their thoughts. Xu Guanghua, the leader of the brain-computer interface division, explains that the brain-computer interface, as a method of thought perception, when fused with other senses like sight, hearing, and touch, is an important direction for the development of the "intelligent brain" in embodied intelligence.

Smart Plant Protection: Future Agriculture Requires Coding and AI Skills

This convergence of disciplines is also occurring in the agricultural sector. Chen Wei, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of China Agricultural University, reveals that artificial intelligence has already become a compulsory general course at the university. This September, the university will officially launch an innovation class in smart plant protection. Future agricultural professionals will not only need to identify pests and diseases but also operate drones and agricultural robots, blending agronomy expertise with AI proficiency.

Song Yihong, a master's student in plant protection, encountered a real-world problem during an internship in a greenhouse: an AI early-warning system for tomato diseases boasted over 95% accuracy in the lab, but this figure dropped to 85% in an actual greenhouse. The complexity of real agricultural environments far exceeds that of controlled labs. It's not enough to simply analyse images; one must also consider data on temperature, humidity, soil nutrients, and climate conditions for comprehensive assessment. From nano-pesticides to smart greenhouse monitoring systems, modern agriculture has long transcended the simple act of farming.

International Organisations and Global Governance: A Non-Vocational Path with Broad Horizons

Renmin University of China has introduced a new major in international organisations and global governance this year. Zhang Peng, an admissions officer, mentioned that while there were initial concerns about low enrolment, the number of inquiries exceeded expectations. However, prospective students also harbour concerns: is the career path for this new major too narrow?

Zhi Xiaoqiang, Vice President of Renmin University of China, explains that global governance is no longer just the domain of diplomats. Fields such as climate change, AI governance, digital economy regulation, public health, energy security, and international trade rules all require talent who understand both their specific discipline and international norms. The employment landscape is highly diverse.

At the Global Development Public Policy Youth Innovation Competition, a team of three sophomores from Renmin University's journalism, business, and law schools made it to the finals with a project on the historical street renovation of Dongting South Road in Yueyang, Hunan. This tangible issue rooted in local life became the focal point for a "global governance" proposition. The judges focused on feasibility: where would start-up funding come from, how would data authorisation be resolved, and who would manage the public space?

Zhi Xiaoqiang further elaborated that universities teach not just knowledge, but also the ability to deconstruct problems, take action, and uphold mission-driven values. These competencies have greater long-term value.

As AI Grows Stronger, How Should Universities Cultivate Talent?

As AI accelerates knowledge acquisition, what should universities prioritise in their teaching? Feng Liqi, a veteran news editor with over a decade of experience, offers his perspective. Despite having a liberal arts background and no prior AI programming knowledge, Feng can now complete a news planning task in minutes using AI tools. He points out that what previously required a team of developers, designers, product managers, and testers can now be done by a single person, boosting efficiency manifold. When execution ceases to be a bottleneck, the ability to pose the right questions and define evaluation criteria becomes paramount.

Behind every addition to the university programme catalogue lies a precise response to the changing times. AI is empowering countless industries, smart agriculture is reshaping traditional farming, and the digital economy is restructuring the industrial ecosystem. The tide of industrial transformation is forcing the talent cultivation system to accelerate its own evolution. These new majors serve as the bridge connecting education with industry. For prospective students, choosing a new major should not be based solely on its current popularity; it must align with personal interests and long-term societal development. For universities, however, launching a new major is only the first step. They must also invest in qualified faculty, refine the curriculum, and establish clear career pathways to ensure talent development truly keeps pace with industrial upgrades.