21 March 2024
Nanjing University, located in Jiangsu province, China, is poised to shake-up higher education in the country with its upcoming launch of a pioneering “core curriculum system in artificial intelligence literacy.” Scheduled to debut this September, the initiative represents a significant milestone in Chinese academia, aimed at cultivating highly adaptable talent among incoming students.
More than 3700 new students at Nanjing University will benefit from this innovative AI literacy program, which operates on a “1 + X + Y” framework. The framework consists of a mandatory core AI literacy course (1), supplemented by additional AI literacy courses (X) and interdisciplinary courses (Y) that integrate various fields with artificial intelligence. This educational approach focuses not only knowledge and skills but also values and ethics in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Wang Jun, executive vice-dean of Nanjing University’s undergraduate school, highlighted the extensive research and consultation conducted since the latter half of 2023 with experts, teachers, and students from diverse fields. This collaborative effort has informed the development of a comprehensive general education curriculum in AI. Jun stated, “We believe that promoting general education in artificial intelligence is both timely and urgent,” underscoring the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research to address the evolving landscape of AI education.
Tan Tieniu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Party chief of Nanjing University, emphasised the challenges of providing comprehensive AI education to students from diverse academic backgrounds. He noted the importance of meeting both the core literacy requirements and the personalised needs of students to enhance their adaptability in the AI era. Tieniu’s remarks echoed the widespread praise garnered by the core general education curriculum system, attracting inquiries from several universities about related training programs.
Furthermore, undergraduate students in their second and third years at Nanjing University have shown keen interest in studying AI. The university plans to collaborate with enterprises to offer students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge scientific research projects and practical application scenarios. These initiatives aim to foster innovative capabilities among students to address complex challenges across various disciplines in the future intelligent era.
Nanjing University has a track record of leadership in AI education. In 2018, it established the School of Artificial Intelligence and launched the “Talent Training Program for AI,” laying the foundation for the country’s first comprehensive undergraduate professional AI education system. Building on this success, the university expanded its efforts in 2022 with the establishment of the Intelligent Science and Technology School and the Intelligent Software and Engineering School at its Suzhou campus, aiming to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in emerging industries.
Additionally, Nanjing University has initiated interdisciplinary programs such as “AI for Science” and “AI for HASS,” offering over 50 specialised courses that apply AI technology across various fields. These initiatives underscore the university’s commitment to innovation and excellence in AI education, positioning it at the forefront of China’s educational landscape.
