Summary:

China’s Ministry of Education recently published a list of 39 higher education institutions given preliminary approval to change their registration status in 2016. The list covers both universities and higher vocational institutions, and includes:
• 14 higher vocational colleges which upgraded to offer bachelor's degrees
• Nine semi-independent affiliated colleges which transformed to independent private HEIs
• One new HEI formed from the merger of two existing institutions
• One new HEI formed from a department of an existing HEI
• 14 institutions that have changed their names but are not included in any of the above categories

This list has now been released for public comment, with final approval likely to be granted later in the year if no major objections are raised. The list of HEIs given this preliminary approval can be found at http://www.moe.edu.cn/srcsite/A03/s7050/201601/t20160119_228371.html (in Chinese)

Analysis by Kevin Prest, Senior Analyst Analysis and Liu Xiaoxiao, Education Services Manager:

The list illustrates some ongoing trends in Chinese higher education institutions. In particular, a substantial number of affiliated colleges have gained independent status and become private universities over the last few years. 57 of these colleges have officially detached from their parent universities since 2010, reducing the number of affiliated colleges to 266 from the previous 323.

Another noticeable trend is that, based on this list, there will be no net change in the number of Chinese HEIs in 2016. As China’s higher education system switches from an expansion in quantity to a focus on quality, the number of newly opened HEIs has been declining year on year. However, there is still increasing demand for degree-level education rather than vocational higher education, despite the government’s attempts to increase the status of vocational education.

Sources:
1. http://edu.qq.com/a/20160127/025548.htm
2. http://edu.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0126/c1006-28086460.html
3. http://www.moe.edu.cn/srcsite/A03/s7050/201601/t20160119_228371.html