Liu Yingqi 刘颖祺

In recent years, students are no longer solely prioritizing high academic qualifications when selecting their universities, but are instead considering their own interests and future development as the primary factors.

The proliferation of diverse types of universities and the advancement of professional programs provide students with a wide array of choices, enabling them to uncover and develop their individual potentials.

In China, vocational undergraduate programs have gained popularity among students due to their impressive graduate employment rates. For example, in 2024, a high school graduate who scored 600 out of 750 points in China’s national college entrance exams opted to apply to Shenzhen Polytechnic University. Similarly, in Zhejiang Province, a student with a score of 602 chose to pursue a vocational bachelor’s degree. Choosing a vocational college over a traditional one is becoming increasingly common in today’s educational landscape.

Institutions like Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, which offer a variety of majors tailored towards employability, set a minimum admission score of 624 points in its inaugural year of undergraduate enrollment, positioning itself fourth in Guangdong. The hierarchical ranking of universities is no longer the predominant factor influencing students’ college choices; instead, they prefer institutions that cater to their specific needs.

Education expert Xiong Bingqi said, “Students should select schools and majors that align with their interests and capabilities.” In Shenzhen, there are plans to establish more universities with diverse preferences and strengths, empowering students to unleash their potentials through higher education.

China is committed to fostering educational diversity, recognizing the uniqueness of each student and their right to choose paths based on their passions. Embracing diversified educational pathways for individuals signifies progress within society.

To better cater to students, universities should offer practical courses that are aligned with society’s future requirements. It is essential to educate students according to their aptitudes, assisting them in identifying their passions within a field that may pave the way for a successful career.

Concurrently, universities should define their distinct positioning and nurture expertise in specific disciplines to contribute to the academic landscape.

(The author is a student from dreamers Education.)