Recently, Anhui's first “AI + Brain-Computer Interface” micro-major was inaugurated at Bengbu Medical University.
Built on the university's existing courses including Neurobiology, Medical Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Medical Applications, Python Programming for Medical AI, and Mathematical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence, this micro-major features interdisciplinary integration of medicine and engineering. It brings together modules covering neuroscience, artificial intelligence, signal processing and clinical translation, with a focus on cultivating interdisciplinary innovative talents equipped with both medical expertise and engineering algorithm capabilities.
The first cohort of 30 students was selected from applicants across different majors. All are juniors and seniors at the university with solid foundational knowledge. Selection criteria encompass not only scores in compulsory courses, but also grades in computer science and physics courses, as well as experience in college student innovation training programs, research projects and academic publications.
According to Tong Xuhui, Director of the University's Academic Affairs Office, the micro-major's talent development program prioritizes strengthening medical foundations, improving humanistic literacy and fostering engineering thinking. All curricula are designed around real-world job requirements of enterprises. Collaborations with industry partners help bridge the final gap between academic training and professional workforce demands.
In recent years, targeting fields suffering from acute talent shortages, the Ministry of Education has promoted the launch of 1,000 micro-majors and 1,000 vocational competency training programs nationwide to help graduates enhance their employability rapidly. Since Anhui rolled out its pilot program for micro-major development in 2024, universities across the province have established a total of 576 micro-majors.
Source: Anhui Daily
