Traffic and Transportation
Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU) is the first institution in Zhejiang Province to establish an undergraduate program in traffic and transportation major. Since its inception, the major has been recognized as a provincial distinctive major, a first-class major, an applied pilot program, and a model for internationalized transportation education, showcasing its robust teaching and research capabilities.
Educational Objectives
The major aims to cultivate well-rounded, high-caliber engineering professionals to meet the needs of modern transportation engineering and regional socio-economic development. Graduates are expected to embrace core socialist values, demonstrate professional ethics, cultural awareness, and social responsibility, and possess foundational knowledge, theories, and technical skills in transportation. Equipped with innovation, teamwork, an international perspective, and lifelong learning capabilities, they are prepared for careers in operations management, planning and design, and scientific research within fields like rail and road transportation.
Distinctive Features
Ⅰ.Innovative Talent Development Model
To address Zhejiang's demand for talent in the rail transportation sector, the program leverages resources such as a National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) industry-education integration training base, a provincial industry-education integration alliance, a provincial 2011 collaborative innovation center, a provincial key laboratory, a provincial university student off-campus practice base, and a provincial key support modern industry college. This model emphasizes:
l Two guiding principles: Human resources and technology.
l Three resonating chains: Industry, innovation, and education.
l Fourfold synergy: Collaboration among universities, governments, industries, and enterprises.
l Five coordinated dimensions: Operational mechanisms, faculty development, teaching resources, practice bases, and technological innovation.
Ⅱ.Comprehensive Practical Teaching
In response to global competition and national strategic needs, the program has enhanced industry-education integration, narrowed the gap between education and practice, and promoted project-based teaching reform. This system fosters innovative engineering talent with international perspectives, scientific thinking, and the ability to solve real-world complex problems.
Ⅲ.International Collaboration
The program actively integrates into China's One Belt One Road initiative and the Madrid-Yiwu Train development strategy, advancing its internationalization. It established Zhejiang's sole Institute of African Transportation Research in 2011, launched the province's only internationalized transportation major in 2015, and led the formation of the Zhejiang International Engineering Education Alliance in 2017, bringing together 12 universities.
Over the years, the program has published influential works such as Contemporary African Transportation and trained 30 international students from countries like Kenya, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo. It has hosted over 10 advanced seminars for African transportation officials and facilitated exchange programs with universities such as Newcastle University (UK) and the University of Texas at Austin (USA).
Ⅳ.Teaching Reforms and Research Achievements
The program has made significant progress in developing online courses, new-format textbooks, planning materials, virtual simulation projects, and educational research. Recent achievements include:
l Publication of over 10 professional textbooks.
l Completion of 15 Ministry of Education-industry collaboration projects.
l Development of 7 provincial first-class undergraduate courses and 1 model course on integrating ideological and political education.
Core Courses
Key courses include Transportation Engineering, Transportation Planning, Transport Organization and Management, Traffic Terminals and Hubs, Traffic Safety Engineering, Rail Traffic Operations, Road Survey and Design, and Road Engineering.
Advantages of the Major
Ⅰ. Strong Educational Capabilities
According to a report by the Zhejiang Education Evaluation Institute, the traffic and transportation major at ZJNU consistently surpasses provincial averages in employment rate, job relevance, and graduate study placement, making it a standout major.
Ⅱ. Leading Infrastructure
The program hosts national and provincial platforms, including an NDRC Training Base, a Sino-Foreign Humanities Exchange Base, and the Zhejiang Rail Transportation Modern Industry Academy. These facilities provide strong support for the Transportation Powerhouse strategy.
Ⅲ. Well-Balanced Faculty
The program boasts 35 faculty members, including 16 with senior titles, 25 with doctoral degrees, and 17 with international study experience. Over 80% have hands-on engineering experience, ensuring students receive practical, industry-aligned education.
Ⅳ. Solid Research Foundation
Over the past five years, faculty members have undertaken more than 50 national and provincial projects and published over 200 academic papers, contributing to ZJNU's engineering disciplines ranking in the top 1% globally.
Ⅴ. Outstanding Graduate Outcomes
Graduates have excelled in national and provincial competitions, including the China International Internet+ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and the National Transport Science and Technology Competition. Employment and graduate placement rates reach 98% and 40%, respectively.
Ⅵ. Rising Social Influence
With over 270 graduates now holding key positions across various sectors, the program has garnered positive media coverage from outlets such as China Education Daily, Zhejiang Daily, and CCTV Online.
Career Prospects
Transportation is a foundational and strategic sector critical to China's socio-economic development. The nation's ongoing investment in transportation infrastructure has spurred an unprecedented demand for high-caliber, multidisciplinary engineering talent.
Graduates from ZJNU's transportation program can thrive in rapidly advancing rail systems, dynamic logistics industries, modern transportation planning, and research institutions. Many pursue further studies at prestigious universities worldwide.
Internationalized Transportation Major (English-Taught)
As Zhejiang's only English-taught transportation program, it adheres to the principles of International Engineering Education Accreditation with a globally-oriented curriculum aligned to international standards, an international faculty team, and cutting-edge practical training platforms, including an NDRC Training Base. With a history of training 30 international students from countries such as Kenya, Cameroon, and Congo, the program exemplifies a strong foundation and lasting impact in internationalized education.
