The PLA Information Support Force Engineering University officially opened on Saturday in Wuhan, Central China. Notably, the event brought together military leaders, local officials, university staff, and soldiers, marking a key step in China’s military education reform. Earlier this year, in May, the Ministry of National Defense revealed plans to restructure existing military academies. As part of this initiative, they introduced three new institutions. Among them, the PLA Information Support Force Engineering University focuses on training talent in digital and information warfare.
To form this new university, China combined two respected institutions. Specifically, these were the College of Information and Communication from the National University of Defense Technology and the communication institute of the Army Engineering University. Together, they now operate from the university’s main campus in Wuhan. Importantly, the PLA Information Support Force Engineering University draws on a long history. It traces its roots to the Radio Training Class of the Red First Front Army. Founded in 1931 by Mao Zedong and Zhu De, the original institution laid the groundwork for decades of communication training. Since then, the school has prepared over 200,000 professionals for military service.
Now, the university looks to the future. As the only institution directly under the PLA Information Support Force, it will play a vital role in military modernization. Furthermore, it serves as a foundation for China’s growing emphasis on cyber operations and digital defense. Beginning in 2025, the university will offer ten undergraduate programs. These will focus entirely on informatization and intelligent technologies. For example, students will study data intelligence, communication engineering, software systems, and more.
For its first intake, the university plans to admit 401 students. Of these, 345 will be male, while 56 will be female. All will be selected from regular high school graduates across China. As a result, the PLA Information Support Force Engineering University will act as a central training hub for China’s cyber defense talent. By focusing on emerging technologies, it supports the country’s goal of building a modern, tech-savvy military. In conclusion, the launch of this university reflects China’s commitment to future-ready defense education. Through focused training and a strong academic foundation, the PLA Information Support Force Engineering University is set to shape the next generation of digital military leaders.
