The University of Chinese Academy of Science (UCAS) unveiled its School of Space Exploration on January 27, which aims to take the lead in cultivating top-notch innovative talents independently in the field of deep space exploration.

The school will establish 14 curricular systems covering fields including science and technologies of aerospace as well as planetary science. Besides the 97 existing courses, 22 new core courses centered on cutting-edge fields will be introduced, such as those focusing on the principles of interstellar power and propulsion, and the sensing and utilization of interstellar navigation environments.

Based on the three types of sci-tech platforms in the Huairou Science City, the school will develop six special platforms, including the intelligent patrol and flight simulation platform for drones and the teaching and practice platform for space science satellites, to offer students an immersive environment for research and training.

Recently, the school released an announcement on its official website to recruit outstanding talents from around the world and guarantee them all-around and high-level research and living support.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) will allocate the research fund directly, prioritizing basic research, key technology breakthroughs and more, with every single project eligible for a grant ranging from 10 million to 100 million yuan. In addition, UCAS will also offer matching funds at a 1:1 ratio. Talents selected for the "NSFC Excellent Young Scholars" will be appointed as tenure track associate professors and each provided with a 4-million-yuan relocation allowance, a research start-up fund of 5 million to 9 million yuan, an exclusive laboratory of 60 to 90 square meters, and guaranteed enrollment quotas for at least one doctoral student and one master's student each year. Other candidates may be recruited through the "Hundred Talent Program" of CAS and incorporated into the tenure track system, with those recruited enjoying a 2-million-yuan direct matching fund from CAS and a 1:1 matching fund from UCAS. Those who have obtained the title of lecturer or associate professor overseas may directly apply for the positions of tenure track professors. In terms of living support, their children will have priority in enrolling in several well-known middle schools in Beijing's Haidian District, such as the Beijing 101 Middle School and the Beijing National Day School.

(Sources: Beijing Daily, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)