How China Built a Higher Education Superpower

Host Alex Usher speaks with Gerard Postiglione, one of the leading experts on Chinese higher education, about the dramatic transformation of China’s university system over the past half-century. Drawing on his new book, Higher Education in China, Postiglione reflects on the country’s rise from the upheaval of the Cultural Revolution to becoming a global higher education and research powerhouse. The conversation explores the evolution of the Gaokao, the push for world-class universities, Hong Kong’s changing role within China’s higher education landscape, and the challenges China faces around skills, equity, governance, and artificial intelligence. 👉 Episode Links:Higher Education in China: Domestic Demands and Global Aspirations by Gerard A. PostiglioneWorldEd S4 E8: Inside the Gaokao: China’s Defining Test with Ruixue JiaFocus Friday: Sign up to the One Thought to Start Your Day newsletter