A university representative takes a group interview after the announcement in Nanjing, Jiangsu province on Dec 19. [Photo/jiangsu.gov.cn]

Jiangsu saw 43 disciplines ranked as world leading delivered at 15 local universities, closely following Beijing, the provincial department of education announced Dec 19. 

The discipline at Nanjing Forestry University was among the list, which uses straw as raw material to produce wood-based panels and realize zero formaldehyde pollution. Southeast University focused on its traditional expertise in civil engineering and has seen fruitful results being applied to major projects at home and abroad. Soochow University highlighted optical engineering and remained dedicated to research in electro-optic displays, green energy, aerospace remote sensing and laser technology. 

According to Hong Liu, deputy head of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, the province plans to open 323 key disciplines during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), which will cover all local universities. 

He said 72 of the second batch of key disciplines are in emerging areas such as biotechnology, information technology, intelligent manufacturing, new energy, new materials and modern agriculture, covering 43.6 percent of the batch's total. 

"The third batch of 178 key disciplines is under construction, mainly for master's education," Hong said. 

He added that the province has rolled out a clear and targeted development pattern for disciplines – first designed as a school characteristic, then to grow into a provincial key project, then strive to preponderant in Jiangsu, and finally ascending to world-leading level.