In the ongoing 2026 National Two Sessions in Beijing, Xiaomi founder and National People's Congress (NPC) deputy Lei Jun has spotlighted a critical gap in China's higher education system amid the explosive growth of the intelligent electric vehicle (EV) sector. Lei proposes establishing 'Intelligent Electric Vehicles' as a first-level interdisciplinary major and implementing a dual-mentor practical training model to cultivate composite talents capable of driving the industry's future.
This initiative comes at a pivotal moment. China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market has surged, with over 10 million units sold in 2025 alone, positioning the country as the global leader. Yet, the shift toward software-defined vehicles integrating artificial intelligence (AI), connectivity, and electrification demands talents versed in multiple fields—far beyond traditional mechanical engineering.
China's EV Revolution and the Urgent Talent Crunch
The intelligent connected NEV industry represents a trillion-yuan opportunity, underpinning national goals like dual-carbon targets (carbon peaking by 2030, neutrality by 2060) and building manufacturing, transportation, and digital powerhouses. Global competition has evolved from isolated tech battles to ecosystem orchestration, where cross-disciplinary expertise in AI, sensors, battery tech, and vehicle dynamics is paramount.
However, a massive talent shortage persists. Industry estimates peg the gap at over one million composite professionals for intelligent connected NEVs. High salaries—often exceeding 1 million RMB annually for top engineers—fail to fill positions, sparking fierce 'talent wars' among firms like Xiaomi Auto, BYD, and Tesla China. Projections indicate demand will balloon to 12 million by 2030, with software roles comprising 40%.
Current challenges include mismatched skills: graduates from siloed programs in mechanical, electrical, or computer science lack integration for 'software-defined vehicles.' Enterprises lament a 'demand cliff' where theoretical knowledge doesn't translate to practical R&D or testing.Explore higher ed career advice for navigating this dynamic field.
Lei Jun's Bold Proposal: A New First-Level Discipline
Lei advocates for 'Intelligent Electric Vehicles' as a standalone first-level discipline in the national catalog, granting it academic autonomy and dedicated resources. This would overhaul fragmented curricula, fusing mechanical engineering, electronics, AI, and systems integration into a cohesive framework.
Currently, related training scatters across departments, yielding inconsistent outcomes. A dedicated major would enable systematic knowledge reconstruction, aligning with industry ecosystems. Lei emphasizes: "Accelerating composite talent cultivation cracks supply-demand disconnects, counters tech shifts, and bolsters industrial foundations."
Similar calls echo from Geely's Li Shufu, urging inclusion in the 2027 graduate directory adjustment.Read Li Shufu's full proposal.
The Dual-Mentor Model: Bridging Academia and Industry
Central to Lei's vision is the 'dual-mentor' system: one university professor for theory, paired with an industry expert for hands-on guidance. This deepens industry-education fusion (产教融合), embedding enterprise mentors in curricula via projects, internships, and frontier training.
In practice, students engage in real-world tasks like autonomous testing, R&D prototyping, and market validation. Lei proposes certifying 'industry-education integration enterprises' and tying participation to policy incentives, broadening career paths for tech-management hybrids.
- School mentor: Delivers foundational theory, research methods.
- Industry mentor: Provides project access, scenario simulations, safety protocols.
- Joint outcomes: Personalized plans, capstone projects solving live problems.
This mirrors successful pilots, enhancing employability—graduates boast 95%+ placement rates in top firms.
Practical Training: From Classroom to Real-World Deployment
Lei's 'practicalized' (实战化) training mandates frontline immersion. Students rotate through enterprise labs, simulating complex scenarios like L4 autonomy in urban traffic or battery thermal management under extremes.
Benefits include:
- Skill bridging: Theory-to-practice gap closure.
- Innovation boost: Enterprise cases fuel patents, startups.
- Adaptability: Prepares for rapid tech iterations (e.g., solid-state batteries by 2030).
Policy support would fund joint bases, akin to national 'industry-education fusion communities.'
Existing Frontiers: Leading Chinese Universities in EV Education
Tsinghua University's School of Vehicle and Mobility (est. 2019) pioneers NEV training under 'new four modernizations' (electrification, intelligence, networking, sharing). It offers specialized courses like 'Automotive Energy and NEV Roadmap,' with grads fueling firms like XPeng.
Tongji University's Automotive College integrates NEV materials/devices with industry fusion, boasting 3 CAE academicians and 90% PhD faculty. Programs emphasize power systems, HMI (human-machine interaction).
Other exemplars: Shanghai Jiao Tong University's NEV labs, Central South University's interdisciplinary NEV center uniting 10 colleges.Discover China university jobs.
BYD-Tsinghua dual-mentor PhD programs in semiconductors/AI exemplify fusion.Tsinghua SVM overview.
Challenges in Scaling Interdisciplinary EV Programs
Barriers persist: Rigid discipline catalogs hinder resource allocation; faculty lack industry exposure; infrastructure lags (e.g., few advanced sim labs). Vocational 'dual-teacher' (双师型) models cover 50%+ roles but undergrad/grad needs amplify.
Solutions via Lei's plan: 2027 directory update as catalyst, incentives for cross-college hires, national funding for 100+ bases by 2030.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Industry, Academia, Policymakers
Enterprises applaud: Xiaomi Auto eyes 10,000 hires by 2027. Academics note alignment with 'Double First-Class' initiatives. MOE's new engineering push (45 NEV undergrad majors) sets stage, but first-level status elevates grad research.
Students benefit: Enhanced higher ed jobs prospects, global mobility.
Future Outlook: Toward a Talent-Powered EV Powerhouse
If adopted, Lei's blueprint could graduate 50,000+ specialists annually by 2030, closing gaps and exporting models via Belt-Road. Ties to AI literacy mandates amplify impact.
For universities: Revamp curricula, forge alliances. Aspiring pros: Target NEV tracks, internships. Check Rate My Professor for EV faculty insights.
Faculty positions and university jobs in China EV hubs abound.
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
Lei Jun's Two Sessions push underscores education's role in China's EV dominance. By pioneering interdisciplinary majors and dual-mentor training, universities can forge the next generation of innovators. Stay ahead with career advice and job alerts on AcademicJobs.com.