Eight universities in Pudong New District, Shanghai recently received approval to introduce 12 new majors for undergraduates, according to a document released by the Ministry of Education.

The majors include artificial intelligence (AI), big data, intelligent medical engineering, and intelligent science and technology, which are all products of the internet era and accord with the industrial development trajectory of Pudong.

Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai University of Electric Power, and Sanda University will all introduce a major called “data science and big data technology” and begin enrolling students this year. 

However, the three universities all have a unique focus - Shanghai Ocean University will focus on data related to the ocean and fishery industry, Shanghai University of Electric Power aims to cultivate skilled workers for big data processing, analysis, and research, and Sanda University will cooperate with big data companies to improve students' abilities to innovate and solve practical problems.

In addition to big data, "intelligence" has also become a popular academic subject. 

Shangahai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was the first TCM university in the country to be approved to set up an intelligent medical engineering department.

According to a spokesperson for the university, the new department will be a part of the current biomedical engineering department and will integrate AI, big data, and internet technology into the medical treatment and healthcare fields.

The intelligent science and technology department introduced at Shanghai Maritime University will place emphasis on cultivating high-end workers for the intelligent shipping, port, and supply chain sectors.