YNU, CAS continue to co-train talents

The Atmospheric Sciences major at Yunnan University (YNU) has a long history, dating back to its establishment in 1971. Yunnan University shoulders the responsibility of training innovative talents in this sector.

In recent years, with the rapid development of higher education, Yunnan University collaborated with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2014 to jointly build a special class in Atmospheric Sciences.

The special class adopts an innovative "3+1" training model. Students spend the first three years at Yunnan University building their knowledge base, and mastering methods and skills. In their final year, they undergo comprehensive training at CAS to strengthen their independent research capabilities.

After nine years of implementation, the special class has achieved commendable results. Students in the special class have excellent academic performance records and great potential for scientific research innovation. They exhibit outstanding English proficiency, solid foundations in mathematics and physics, and proficient computer application skills.

A total of 87 percent of the students in the special class have experience in team building and have participated in innovation and entrepreneurship projects. And 85 percent of these students have also received awards at the provincial and ministerial levels in various competitions.

Yunnan University, in collaboration with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of CAS, has developed high-quality courses that integrate disciplinary development into the curriculum in a timely and effective manner.

In the last five years, the teaching level and research capabilities of teachers in the special class have significantly improved. Over 40 percent of them have won awards in national, provincial, and university-level teaching competitions, and published more than 30 papers on teaching reform.

Furthermore, the integrated training between Yunnan University and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of CAS has expanded from undergraduate to master's programs. In addition to the Atmospheric Sciences special class, Yunnan University and CAS have successively established four joint special classes in Geophysics, Geology, Ecology, and Plant Science and Technology.