On May 10, the “Geological Education Symposium under the New Normal,” hosted by China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and organized by the Geological Education Research Branch of the Geological Society of China, was held in Beijing. This symposium not only invited representatives from relevant government departments and universities but also numerous grassroots geological exploration units. The aim was to explore the new opportunities and challenges facing China’s geological education under the new normal, jointly discuss strategies for the development of geological education, and collaboratively chart a grand vision for reforming geological education, thereby driving geological education toward a new leap forward.

　　At the seminar, Du Xinbo, Director of the Human Resources Research Office at the Human Resources Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources and国土资源, presented a set of data showing that although China’s natural resources system boasts a sizable workforce overall, there is a significant structural shortage of talent. For example, while China has more than 2,000 grassroots-level natural resources agencies, there are fewer than 1,000 geology technicians working at the grassroots level. Dong Shuwen, a professor at Nanjing University and head of several national-level major projects, pointed out that today, the nature of Earth science itself has undergone a fundamental shift: breakthroughs in core technologies and the role of large-scale scientific facilities in driving research progress are becoming increasingly important. The implementation of major scientific programs has also led to changing demands for talent within research teams. Currently, some ongoing research projects that meet immediate practical needs are struggling to secure sufficient specialized personnel; meanwhile, certain emerging industry hotspots—especially those requiring China to achieve fully independent R&D—will require ample talent reserves if we are to attain world-class standards.

　　Representatives from employing organizations, including Li Wenchang, Director of the Chengdu Geological Survey Center of the China Geological Survey, and Zhao Shibao, Chief Engineer of the Inner Mongolia Bureau of Geological and Mineral Exploration and Development, suggested that under the new normal, universities should first proactively adjust their major structures and enrollment proportions. They recommend gradually reducing enrollment in majors related to mineral geology and mining geology, while increasing enrollment in geology-related fields that are closely tied to people’s livelihoods—such as geological environment, geological hazards, urban geology, and agricultural geology. Second, during the undergraduate stage, greater emphasis should be placed on the quality of specialized course instruction and on broadening students’ exposure to geoscience knowledge. Attention should also be paid to cultivating students’ observational and identification skills, with in-depth specialization reserved for the graduate level. Third, special attention should be given to developing students’ adaptability to real-world job requirements—for example, during the undergraduate years, in addition to geoscience knowledge, students should also gain exposure to areas such as technical economics, finance, and official document writing. Fourth, various approaches should be adopted to actively guide and inspire students’ passion for geosciences, fostering in them an interest in geoscience and nurturing their intuitive curiosity and innovative spirit in exploring Earth’s mysteries. In their remarks, representatives from higher education institutions shared their respective experiences. Guo Fusheng, Vice President of Donghua University of Technology, noted that the university not only advocates the educational philosophy of “returning to fundamentals and delivering high-quality undergraduate education,” but also grants students the freedom to change majors, making every effort to cultivate geoscience talents who are passionate about the geological profession and endowed with strong innovative capabilities.

　　At the meeting, Academician Zhao Pengda of the Chinese Academy of Sciences introduced the development status of digital geology; Academician Chen Jun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of Nanjing University, elaborated on the concept that the key to building “Double First-Class” institutions lies in cultivating first-class talent; Professor Cheng Qiuming, President of the International Union of Geological Sciences and professor at China University of Geosciences (Beijing), delivered a report titled “Frontiers in Earth Science and Earth Science Education”; and Professor Chu Zuwang, Director of the Discipline Office at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), presented a report entitled “International Experiences and Insights into Cultivating First-Class Earth Science Talent Based on the Construction of First-Class Disciplines.” A total of 129 representatives from international organizations such as the International Union of Geological Sciences, national ministries and commissions including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Natural Resources, major national science and technology project teams in the field of geology, universities including Nanjing University, Jilin University, and China University of Geosciences (Beijing), and domestic geological institutions attended the seminar.