BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Home to one of the world's largest higher education systems, China is promoting greater differentiation among universities to better serve socioeconomic development.

In a newly unveiled guideline on the reform of higher education institutions, authorities called for universities to pursue distinct development paths, whether research-, application- or skills-oriented, and foster new forms of integrated education to explore innovative approaches to nurturing top talent.

"This is not simply about labeling universities, but about creating a rational division of functions among higher education institutions and their respective missions," said Liu Zhentian, a professor of education at Xiamen University, east China.

The guideline builds on a previous plan to develop China into a leading country in education by 2035. The plan classifies China's more than 3,000 higher education institutions into research-oriented, application-oriented and skills-oriented categories.

The guideline urges refining the existing classification framework for higher education institutions, marking a further step in China's reform toward differentiated development in the sector.

According to experts, the move aims to strengthen research-oriented universities' leading role in driving major breakthroughs in science and technology, while enabling application-oriented universities to focus on practice-oriented talent, industry-education integration, technological innovation and research commercialization.

Skills-oriented universities, meanwhile, should serve as a mainstay for cultivating master craftsmen and highly skilled professionals, with a focus on employment-oriented training and support for the development of a modern industrial system.

The move is seen as an effort to address structural challenges arising from a similar pursuit of degree programs among Chinese universities in recent years, amid the continued expansion of higher education.

China has already stepped up adjustments to university disciplines and majors in response to technological advances, emerging industries and changing talent demand.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is also reshaping talent demand. An action plan on AI plus education calls for optimizing university disciplines and majors in response to expanding interdisciplinary AI programs.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Chinese universities added 10,200 undergraduate programs while canceling or suspending 12,200, with more than 30 percent of programs adjusted overall, according to the Ministry of Education.

Zhang Nanxing, a professor with the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, anticipated further adjustment in the number of institutions of different categories to better align with social development needs.

Universities would also be encouraged to further adjust and optimize their academic disciplines and programs, while providing students with diverse and flexible pathways for educational and career development, Zhang said.

The new policy introduces differentiated support for universities, with resources tailored to the needs of different types of institutions and evaluation criteria adjusted accordingly.

"We need to move away from a one-track approach to resource allocation and establish a categorized resource support system," said Li Liguo, a professor of education at Tsinghua University.

In addition to the three broad institutional orientations, the new policy allows localities to develop more diversified subcategories based on their regional industries and educational structures.

Shao Yunzhen, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education, said skills-oriented institutions in the province will have greater say in defining their missions, while focusing on training skilled personnel for the frontline of industries.

Experts believe that the reform is not only a structural adjustment within the education system, but also requires a shift in social perceptions.

"We need to break down stereotypes and ensure that graduates from different types of universities receive the respect and rewards they deserve in their careers," said Zhang Zhengwen, former president of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.