Post by GEM Report UNESCO

Higher education is central to national development and to China’s vision of modernization. In a new #WorldEducationBlog, Huai Jinpeng, Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China, outlines how the country is advancing equitable, high-quality higher education as a foundation for building a leading education system by 2035. The expansion has been unprecedented. Since 1998, the number of higher education institutions has more than tripled, while enrolment has grown more than tenfold to over 48 million students. Today, participation has reached 61.2%, marking the transition to universal access. But the focus goes beyond scale. China is strengthening the role of universities as hubs of innovation, investing in research, interdisciplinary programmes and technology transfer to support scientific and technological breakthroughs. Each year, more than 10 million graduates enter the workforce, many in STEM fields, supporting economic and industrial development. Equity remains a priority. A national financial aid system now supports tens of millions of students annually, while targeted programmes expand opportunities for learners from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds. At the same time, digital platforms are extending access to quality education across regions and borders. As 2030 approaches, the question is no longer whether to expand higher education, but how to ensure it delivers for both individuals and society. ➡️ Explore the full blog: https://bit.ly/4eMRDop