At a recent conference, Wang Xingxing, a prominent figure in robotics and founder of Unitree Robotics, expressed serious concerns regarding the state of education in China. He highlighted that China”s educational framework is failing to provide students with up-to-date knowledge, placing them at a disadvantage compared to their international peers who are learning cutting-edge technologies.
“The education system fundamentally shapes future development potential and opportunities,” Wang stated, emphasizing the gap between students who study current advancements and those who rely on outdated textbooks from decades past.
Wang, who was born in 1990 in Zhejiang province, did not attend one of China”s elite universities. Instead, he focused his undergraduate and master”s studies on building affordable robots at local institutions, which ultimately led to his entrepreneurial success.
As the world enters what many refer to as the “fourth industrial revolution,” characterized by rapid advancements in areas such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G technology, and virtual reality, there is increasing concern among educators and innovators in China. They fear that the country”s approach to science and engineering education is insufficient for nurturing future talent like Wang.
Despite China”s growing influence and competitive stance against Western powers in various essential sectors, criticisms regarding its STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) training continue to mount. Observers argue that the current educational practices are obsolete and do not align with the demands of the industrial sector.
