On Feb 14, China's ministries of education and finance and the National Development and Reform Commission released the highly-anticipated second list of universities and disciplines to be included in the "double world-class project".

All 140 universities that made the first list, released in 2017, also appeared on the latest list. Seven universities were added, bringing the total number of institutions the nation aims to elevate to world-class status to 147.

On the latest list are three Zhejiang-based universities, namely Zhejiang University, the China Academy of Art, and Ningbo University.

Zhejiang University, based in the provincial capital of Hangzhou, has 21 degree programs on the list: chemistry, biology, ecology, mechanical engineering, optical engineering, material science and engineering, power engineering and engineering thermophysics, electric engineering, control science and engineering, computer science and technology, civil engineering, agricultural engineering, environmental science and engineering, software engineering, horticulture, plant protection, basic medicine, clinical medicine, pharmacy, management science and engineering, and agro-forestry economics and management.

Zhejiang University is arguably the most prestigious university in Zhejiang province. [VCG]

The fine arts program at the China Academy of Art and the dynamics program at Ningbo University are also included on the list.

The universities and disciplines were chosen based on their ability to nurture top talent and innovative teams in major and core scientific and technological fields in accordance with national development strategies, said Hong Dayong, director of the Ministry of Education's department of degree management and postgraduate education.

Before the launch of the "double world-class project", the Chinese government evaluated universities via the "211" and "985" projects launched in the 1990s. The 211 project aimed to raise education standards in about 100 colleges and universities in the 21st century, while the 985 project, named after its launch date in May 1998, endeavored to select the cream of the crop from those institutions.

Qu Zhenyuan, former chairman of the China Association of Higher Education, said the "double world-class project" is a continuation of the "211" and "985" projects in the new era.