Wuhan University introduces specialized 'Lei Jun Class'

Wuhan University in Hubei province has introduced a "Lei Jun Class" for talented computer science students this September, facilitating integration between industry and education.

The class, named after the CEO of Chinese technology company Xiaomi, who is also an alumnus of the university, is being established at the School of Computer Science.

Designed for nurturing versatile engineering capacities and entrepreneurial qualities, the class features a tailored academic framework. This involves adaptable credit systems, guaranteed pathways for advanced master's and doctoral studies, internships in leading technology companies and opportunities to study abroad, the university said in an announcement on Thursday.

"This allows students to customize their curriculum based on an individual's career plan," Du Bo, head of the school, told Hubei Changjiang Cloud New Media.

He said students in the Lei Jun Class can earn credits through courses, internships, academic competitions and entrepreneurship, alleviating credit pressure and fostering the comprehensive development of each student.

In addition, each student will have three mentors to ensure all-round guidance, encompassing one from the academic sphere within the school, and two from industry specializing in innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as engineering skills, Du said.

The class plans to admit 30 students this year, with half selected from the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, and the other half chosen based on school-wide criteria after the start of the semester.

"The admission score for the class is expected to rank among the highest across all majors in our university, possibly even claiming the top position," Du said.

The Lei Jun Class is not a standalone effort in universities' ongoing exploration of optimized approaches to nurturing elite talent.

Tsinghua University recently collaborated with the Jingjinji National Center of Technology Innovation to establish a Dian Class. Encouraging students to initiate their own projects under the guidance of experienced professors, the class promotes self-directed and exploratory learning to break away from utilitarianism and excessive competition in undergraduate education.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University has a distinguished doctoral class in artificial intelligence named after Wu Wenjun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Chu Zhaohui, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Educational Sciences, expressed his openness to the diverse teaching methods. He said these innovative classes, rather than representing distinctive school-running patterns, necessitate long-term testing and validation.

"Rather than being standardized, the key to elite education in higher education lies in respecting the principles of human growth and social development," Chu said.