Chinese University Introduces 'Panda Major'... First Freshman Enrollment Begins

A 'Giant Panda College' has been established at a university in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, known as the 'Home of the Panda,' and it is recruiting its first batch of freshmen.

According to local media such as Pengpai News on the 9th, Sichuan Normal University began recruiting 50 undergraduate freshmen majoring in Wildlife and Nature Reserve Management under the Giant Panda Academy starting from the 3rd of this month. The Giant Panda Academy is a secondary college jointly established last year by the Sichuan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau and Sichuan Normal University.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Liao Wenbo, Dean of the School of Life Sciences at Sichuan Normal University, explained, "The Giant Panda Academy focuses on cultivating talents for panda conservation research, aiming to train undergraduate and master's level professionals who will work at the grassroots level in the Giant Panda National Park and nature reserves."

Local media commented, "Although the specific curriculum details of the specialized program are still unclear, students will have earlier and more extensive access to knowledge related to giant panda conservation," adding, "With clear goals, students will improve their qualities and abilities to apply their skills in related fields after graduation."

The Giant Panda Academy is currently undergoing application and approval procedures for an undergraduate major in National Park Construction and Management, and it is expected to recruit related undergraduates next year.

Regarding the news, some netizens expressed regret, saying, "If only I had been born a little later, I would have had the chance to apply." There were also questions about whether students could attend classes while holding pandas. According to local media Changcheng Net, Huang Yan, a faculty member of the Giant Panda Academy, explained, "We have various internships and practical training, all conducted in the Giant Panda National Park or protected areas," adding, "This is different from what netizens imagine, and close contact with pandas may not be possible."

Huang Yan further stated, "In the future, students will also have opportunities to visit national parks, nature reserves, scientific research institutions, panda bases, zoos, and other locations," adding, "They may have chances to get close to pandas, rare animals, and endangered species."