Adjustment and Optimization of Disciplines and Specialties under the Orientation of “Double First—class”

LI+Liguo

Abstract：The adjustment and optimization of disciplines are the inevitable requirements for social needs and the construction of world-class universities and first-class disciplines. Relevant systems and mechanisms should be built and improved to cultivate talents and develop school characteristics. In the modern university， basic theoretical subjects in research universities still follow the academically oriented development law. While applied subjects and other disciplines in this kind of universities should follow the demand-oriented development law. The main rule of discipline adjustment and optimization is service-demand orientation rather than pure academic orientation， and should follow the logic of social demands rather than academic disciplines. The adjustment and optimization following the service orientation， specifically that should meet the service of the three-oriented， that is， for the major national strategic needs， facing the main battlefield of economic society， facing the forefront of world science and technology development.

How to develop schools characters is the first problem during the process of adjusting and optimizing syllabus and specialties. Different schools will develop different features， but there is still something in common. To be specific， developing characteristics of schools is not to build what others do not have， which is applied in business competition， and it is also not equal to fill up blanks of different subjects and develop brand ones only. Characterization does not conflict with mainstream subjects and comprehensiveness. On the contrary， the real point of characteristics is that we do better in the same subjects. Whats more， the key is not to build the so-called "blank-filling” disciplines that are not offered by other schools. The key is how to enhance the comprehensive strength of schools through the strategy of specialization to solve the long-term and major problems of school survival and development.

The second one is how to cultivate outstanding talents. During the construction of “Double First-class” universities， we should attach adequate importance to foundational subjects when adjusting and optimizing the structure of subjects. This is the foundation of not only nurturing talents and exploring higher learning but also developing other applied disciplines and professional schools. More importantly， it is the basis of the construction of the high-level and top-notch universities.

The subjects and specialties of universities have composed an organism. Without relevant disciplines supporting， excellent talents cultivation cannot be accomplished. It is also impossible that achieving the aim of constructing first-class subjects can only be realized by developing some advantageous subjects. Thus， to the construction of first-class disciplines to lead a sound ecological system， promote the overall development of universities.

Discipline adjustment and optimization should be conducive to the development of interdisciplinary integration and the establishment of new disciplines. In the last 25 years， the proportion of cross-disciplinary collaborative research winning Nobel Prize has been close to 50%. The continuous evolution of old and new knowledge has been reflected in the structure of the discipline. It means some disciplines have made rapid development， while others have gradually weakened. Systems and mechanism should take market as a leading factor and meet social needs to adjust and optimize syllabus and specialties and promote interdisciplinary integration. Under the institutional mechanisms of executive-led professional disciplines， disciplines and professions become the basis for the allocation of resources. To maximize their own interests， each discipline constantly adds the so-called "new disciplines”. With professional division more and more developed， there are a huge number of disciplines. All disciplines and professions try to mark off their own turf and become more self-contained than before. They deny entrance to others， resulting in closed conditions. Because of that， optimization and cross-integration of disciplines is very difficult.

Key words： subjects and specialties； adjustment and optimization； service-oriented， university features， cultivating talents， crossing and integration.