On April 28, the Ministry of Education released the "Undergraduate Program Catalog for Regular Higher Education Institutions (2026)," which introduced 38 new undergraduate majors. Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) has been approved as one of the first nine universities in China to establish an undergraduate program in embodied intelligence, with enrollment set to begin in 2026 through the national college entrance examination.
This marks the first time the embodied intelligence major has been categorized under interdisciplinary studies. Aligned with national strategic goals, the program aims to deepen the integration of artificial intelligence with the real economy and cultivate urgently needed interdisciplinary talent to support high-quality development.
Leveraging its strengths in aeronautics, astronautics, and civil aviation, NUAA is breaking down disciplinary barriers to cultivate professionals with interdisciplinary systematic thinking, original innovation capabilities, and engineering practice skills. The program adopts a tripartite training model combining theoretical instruction, scientific research training, and corporate internships. It will fully implement an academic mentorship system for undergraduates, guided by national-level experts and young faculty members, enabling students to engage early in laboratory work and participate in major research projects while facilitating seamless progression from bachelor’s to master’s and doctoral studies.
Additionally, capitalizing on its aerospace characteristics, the university has established practical platforms such as embodied unmanned aerial vehicles and robotics, and collaborates with leading enterprises for project-based training. This end-to-end approach covers algorithm design, hardware integration, and engineering implementation, effectively enhancing students' technical translation and engineering application abilities.
In recent years, NUAA has achieved significant results in the field of embodied intelligence. Its research teams have led multiple national key projects, published over 300 high-level papers in journals including Nature sub-journals, obtained more than 100 patents and software copyrights, and received 15 provincial, ministerial, and international awards, including the National Defense Science and Technology Progress First Prize. Students have also won numerous national academic competition awards.
As one of the first universities in China to develop this program, NUAA’s embodied intelligence major will build on its aerospace strengths and focus on cutting-edge innovation to supply top talent for the nation’s AI and robotics industries, supporting technological self-reliance and advancement.
Students admitted to the embodied intelligence program in 2026 will begin their studies at Zhiyuan College under the Muxing Academy. The college adheres to the cultural philosophy of "staying true to fundamentals and returning to origins," and through its "5C" education system and branded activities such as "Yuanmeng" and "Yuanqi," it aims to strengthen students' foundations in mathematics and AI while fostering interdisciplinary literacy. Under this framework, students will build a solid knowledge base and broaden their academic perspectives in their early years, then delve into advanced areas of embodied intelligence in their later studies, achieving a continuous educational path from generalist training to specialized expertise. Ultimately, the program aims to develop top innovative talents capable of solving complex systemic challenges.
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