China Higher Education Society Convenes 2026 Work Conference in Beijing

The China Higher Education Society (CHES), a pivotal national organization under the Ministry of Education, held its Eighth Council Thirteenth Meeting and 2026 Work Conference on March 29, 2026, in Beijing. Attended by approximately 500 leaders, including university presidents, academicians, and representatives from over 20 provincial associations, the event set the tone for higher education reforms during the inaugural year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The theme, 'True Action, Quality Enhancement, Advance the 15th Five-Year Plan, Contribute to Building an Education Powerhouse,' underscored the society's commitment to practical implementation and high-quality development.

Ministry of Education Vice Minister Ren Youqun delivered a video address, emphasizing alignment with the National Two Sessions spirit and 2026 priorities. CHES President Lin Huiqing presented the annual work report, reviewing successes during the 14th Five-Year Plan and outlining ambitious goals for the new era. The conference approved new vice presidents from Peking University and Beijing Normal University, reinforcing elite institutional ties.

CHES's Role in Shaping China's Higher Education Landscape

Established to bridge the Party, government, and higher education institutions, CHES serves as a think tank, training hub, and innovation platform. Through its China Higher Education Training Center, it has conducted over 33 sessions in early 2026 alone, training nearly 6,000 educators on AI integration, teaching innovation, and ideological work. The society organizes national competitions like the Teacher Teaching Innovation Contest and expos, fostering academic exchange and reform.

In the context of building an education powerhouse by 2035, CHES plays a crucial role in consensus-building, policy advocacy, and capacity enhancement. Its branches cover areas like laboratory management and security studies, ensuring comprehensive support for universities transitioning from discipline-centric to mission-oriented operations.

Key Speeches and Strategic Directives

Lin Huiqing's report highlighted four priority areas for 2026:

• Tempering a robust work style guided by a correct view of political achievements to drive quality and efficiency.
• High-quality compilation and execution of CHES's own 15th Five-Year Plan development blueprint.
• Firm implementation of core 2026 tasks across academic research, teaching innovation, social services, and international cooperation.
• Enhancing coordination to forge synergy in education powerhouse construction.

Ministry directors provided targeted insights: Zhou Tianhua on 15th FYP implementation in higher ed reform; Wu Gang on graduate education modernization; Yang Dan on boosting international competitiveness; and Shu Hua on strategic sci-tech forces. Academician Zhao Qinping's report on 'AI for Education' addressed capabilities, challenges, and prohibitions, signaling tech's pivotal role.

Aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan

The 15th Five-Year Plan marks a shift toward integrated education, science/technology, and talent development to fuel new quality productive forces. Key higher ed tasks include expanding quality undergraduate and postgraduate scales, classified university reforms, and optimizing layouts to serve national strategies. Goals encompass gross enrollment ratios exceeding 60%, over 12.7 million annual graduates, and enhanced sci-tech self-reliance.Ministry of Education Outline emphasizes planning synergy, resource integration, and evaluation linkage.

Higher education, as the nexus of talent cultivation and innovation, must convert disciplinary strengths into industrial advantages, supporting modernization.

Focus on Education-Technology-Talent Integration

Integration—termed 'education science talent一体化'—requires a closed loop: education nurtures talent, talent drives tech, tech informs education. Vice President Jiang Zhiying, former Jilin University Party Secretary, advocated:

• Ideological-political education for 'national priority' awareness.
• Precise talent supply via industry-government collaboration.
• Holistic talent mechanisms: nurture locals, attract globals, break barriers.
• Research layouts: strategic basic, frontier tech (e.g., AI, chips), industry fusion.

This aligns with national policies promoting digital platforms, AI empowerment, and 'breaking five onlys' (唯论文等) in evaluations. For instance, universities are adjusting majors—29 new ones approved in 2025 for emerging fields.

Practical Implications for Chinese Universities

Top-tier 'Double First-Class' universities like Tsinghua and Peking are leading: Tsinghua's AI integration and interdisciplinary centers exemplify mission-service shifts. Application-oriented institutions focus on vocational high grounds, while regionals align with local economies.

Case study: Jilin University's model integrates basic research with 'chokepoint' tech, fostering industry-academia loops. Digital tools like the National Smart Education Platform personalize learning, reducing burdens and enhancing outcomes.

Reforms demand categorized development: research unis on frontiers, teaching unis on quality undergrads, ensuring equitable access amid 47 million enrollments.

Challenges Facing Implementation

Despite progress, hurdles persist: talent-industry mismatches (5-10 year lags), evaluation rigidities, and resource strains. Solutions include 'industry demand lists,' dual mentorships (academy-industry), and enterprise-led practica. CHES's trainings address these, with 2026 expos and competitions accelerating adoption.

Global integration requires balancing openness with security, enhancing intl appeal amid competitiveness pushes.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Consensus Building

Leaders stress political-academic unity: 'Unify political attributes with academics, overall with breakthroughs, China-rooted global vision.' Provincial associations discussed theme-aligned strategies, fostering nationwide synergy. Academicians like Shi Yigong (Westlake University) embody talent flows supporting reforms.

Future Outlook and Actionable Insights

By 2030, expect 'basic formation' of integration patterns, with CHES elevating as reform vanguard. Universities should: 1) Audit disciplines against strategies; 2) Partner industries for dual curricula; 3) Leverage AI ethically; 4) Prioritize faculty development.

For educators: Engage CHES programs; for policymakers: Strengthen coordination; for students: Embrace interdisciplinary paths. This conference anchors higher ed's pivotal role in China's modernization.Official Conference Report

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