The “Double First-Class Initiative” in China: Background, Implementation, and Potential Problems

Abstract

The construction of world-class universities and first-class disciplines (Double First-Class Initiative) is a major commitment made by the Chinese government to adapt to changes in the educational environment at home and abroad. It is also an innovative strategy for the development and practice of international higher education. As part of the Double First-Class Initiative, China’s higher education institutions have formulated plans for their development and for developing their disciplinary specializations. They have instituted special measures for developing subject areas, staff development, building teams of teachers and researchers, and enhancing their disciplinary characteristics. However, there are some potential problems with the implementation of the Double First-Class Initiative, not least of which are the imprecision in the definition of “world-class”, the narrow focus on the range of institutions, and the lack of future-oriented development methods. These problems have attracted the attention of the government and the universities, and stimulated some discussion in society more widely.