A man tests an exoskeleton powered by brain-computer interface technology. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Tianjin University announced that it will offer the nation's first brain-computer interface (BCI) undergraduate program for the upcoming autumn semester.

BCI technology allows direct communication between the brain and an external device, such as a computer or a prosthetic limb. It represents a critical frontier in global technological competition.

"In response to the increasing demand in the BCI sector, Tianjin University is leveraging resources from various departments, including the medical school, electrical automation and information engineering, microelectronics, intelligent computing, mathematics, and materials science and engineering," said Xu Minpeng, assistant director of the university's Haihe BCI Laboratory and the head of the BCI project.

A team of brain-computer interface experts conducts an experiment at Tianjin University. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The program was established through a joint effort of the School of Future Technology and the Medical School of Tianjin University, according to the university.

Among the hundreds of applicants, only 20 will be accepted, according to school authorities.

"Top talents in BCI will form a comprehensive interdisciplinary research and teaching team encompassing fundamental theories, device systems and translational applications," Xu said.