The low-altitude economy is rapidly emerging with immense potential. In early September, the School of Civil Engineering and Transportation at Yangzhou University will welcome its first cohort of "low-altitude plus" undergraduates, developed in partnership with the Graduate School of the China Aeronautical Establishment, with two specialized classes of 60 students officially commencing their studies.
The aviation industry stands as the leading sector within Yangzhou's "613" industrial system, with the low-altitude economy identified as a key area for breakthroughs and development. As a number of aviation innovation platforms take root, scenarios involving low-altitude aircraft manufacturing, infrastructure, and operational services are expanding at a rapid pace across the city. This growth has created an urgent need for interdisciplinary talent with expertise in infrastructure, airspace, and safety management. The establishment of this joint training program marks a proactive step by the university to align itself with the city's pillar industries.
"This is not an ordinary class, but rather a talent pilot zone designed to shape the future landscape of the low-altitude economy," said Deng Shejun, Dean of the School of Civil Engineering and Transportation at Yangzhou University. He noted that this joint educational initiative is a critical move following the university's selection as one of the first institutions nationwide for the "Low-Altitude Economy Smart Learning Workshop / MIIT International Low-Altitude Economy Industrial College," signifying that talent cultivation is now formally integrated into the national strategy and regional development framework.
Through this collaboration, Yangzhou University and the Graduate School of the China Aeronautical Establishment will jointly conduct undergraduate training programs in two disciplines: Traffic Engineering and Engineering Management, implementing a "dual-supervisor system" guided by industry frontiers. The Graduate School will assign outstanding instructors to co-develop professional courses and high-quality educational resources, deeply embedding real-world cases and industry standards from fields such as aviation low-altitude transport, airworthiness management, and systems engineering into the teaching process. Additionally, graduates of this joint program will be given priority admission to master's and doctoral programs in engineering at the China Aeronautical Establishment, provided they meet equivalent criteria.
As one of the first 11 universities nationwide approved for such a program, Yangzhou University is leveraging its position as a key node city in the Yangtze River Delta and the developmental needs of its aviation industry hub, driving a comprehensive "low-altitude plus" interdisciplinary transformation across its traditional academic disciplines. In August of this year, the School of Civil Engineering and Transportation formally launched a micro-major in "Low-Altitude Traffic Intelligent Control," featuring five core modules including airspace management, flight control, and low-altitude traffic system simulation. This program focuses on application scenarios such as drone logistics, urban air mobility, and emergency rescue, aiming to cultivate versatile talent skilled in technology, management, and practical application.
"We are not chasing trends; we are responding to the genuine needs of the industry," explained Zhang Yan, Party Secretary of the School. Over the past year, the School has conducted more than 20 research visits to entities including the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, the Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, and the Municipal Transportation Industry Group. These visits have provided a precise understanding of the current state of local low-altitude infrastructure, airspace management, and safety oversight, which has in turn guided the refinement of the talent cultivation system.
Currently, the School has established a "Low-Altitude Economy Virtual Teaching and Research Office" and is taking the lead in setting up the Yangzhou Municipal Key Laboratory for Low-Altitude Traffic Systems and Intelligent Control. In collaboration with the China Aeronautical Establishment (Yangzhou) Innovation Center, it is pursuing technical breakthroughs in areas such as low-altitude takeoff and landing facility planning, airspace route optimization, and flight risk prevention. Furthermore, the School has signed practice base co-construction agreements with more than ten central and local low-altitude management agencies and technology enterprises, including the Yangzhou Low-Altitude Flight Service Center, China Aviation Airborne Systems Commonality, Jiangsu Xinyang New Materials, Jiangsu Qinyou General Airport, and Yangzhou Digital Intelligence Unmanned Technology.