A TOTAL of 120 Chinese universities will introduce a new undergraduate major in low-altitude technology and engineering this year, making it the program with the highest number of additions, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE).

Beihang University, the Beijing Institute of Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, South China University of Technology, and Northwestern Polytechnical University are among the universities that will launch the low-altitude technology and engineering major in the September semester, the MOE posted on its website last week.

The low-altitude economy refers to the economic activities driven by manned or unmanned aerial vehicles operating at low altitudes, including the research, development, and manufacturing of aircraft, commercial operations, and infrastructure. It is a sector experiencing rapid growth, and the quick addition of related undergraduate programs shows the urgent need for talents.

Advancements in fifth-generation telecom network and artificial intelligence (AI) enable widespread applications of civilian drones across multiple industries, according to Yang Jincai, president of the Shenzhen UAV Industry Association. He predicted the talent gap in the low-altitude economy at over 1 million in the coming years.

In addition to courses in low-altitude technology and engineering, 56 universities will launch programs in cyberspace security, and 42 others will introduce sports training majors this year, reflecting the diversity and adaptability of Chinese universities in aligning academic offerings with market needs, according to the MOE notice.

China’s low-altitude economy is expected to reach a size of 1.5 trillion yuan (US$210 billion) this year and expand to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. At the end of last year, the country had over 20,000 enterprises engaged in the drone industry.

Meanwhile, hundreds of institutions are phasing out programs, such as information management, information systems, and public administration, which either have low employment prospects or are not aligned with the institutions’ positioning.

(SD-Agencies)