Introduction to the National Engineering Research Center for  Educational Big Data

The National Engineering Research Center for Educational Big Data (hereinafter referred to as the Center) was established in 2017 with the approval of the National Development and Reform Commission. It is a national-level research platform dedicated to the study and innovative application of Educational Big Data. As the only center of its kind in China focused exclusively on this field, it plays a leading role in advancing data-driven education. In 2021, it was officially included in the national system of engineering research centers, further reinforcing its importance as a key contributor to China’s strategic science and technology development.

Aligned with China’s national strategy for the digital transformation of education, the Center conducts cutting-edge research in intelligent education to address the evolving needs of the education sector and related industries. Our work focuses on six main areas: setting standards for Educational Big Data; building systems to understand learning environments and track student progress; enabling better data integration and sharing; improving modeling and data analysis in education; supporting smart decision-making and management in schools; and creating intelligent educational services using data visualization.

We run nine master’s and doctoral programs across subjects such as Pedagogy, Educational Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, and AI in Education. Thousands of graduates have earned degrees in science, education, and engineering through these programs. Our unique approach to talent development connects academic research with industry needs and classroom practice. This model helped us win the 2018 National Teaching Achievement Grand Prize, the highest honor in Chinese education, for our groundbreaking work in Educational Big Data. Our success has also helped Central China Normal University earn recognition as a national First-Class Discipline in education.

Our team is our greatest asset. With more than 300 researchers and engineers, we have built a dynamic, multi-generational group made up of experienced scientists, top experts, and emerging young talent. This diverse team fosters innovation and steady progress. Among them are five recipients of top national talent awards and fifteen honored at the provincial or ministerial level.

Our impact is reflected in our strong track record: leading several major national science and technology projects; publishing over 800 high-impact research papers; securing more than 200 patents (including nine international ones); developing 18 national and international standards; and producing 100 academic books. We have also received over 20 science and technology awards at the provincial and ministerial levels. In 2021, the Center was named an "Outstanding Collective in National Professional Talent" at the Sixth National Commendation Conference—one of China’s most prestigious honors.

The Center is located in the South Lake Comprehensive Building on the South Lake Campus of Central China Normal University (CCNU). It has 24,000 square meters of space for research and engineering work and is equipped with more than 4,000 instruments and devices.We have created several environments for collecting educational data, including smart classrooms and the Wuhan Educational Big Data System. These support the development of advanced platforms, such as systems for managing data, providing AI-powered services, conducting research, and testing new educational products.Together, these platforms create a strong foundation for innovation and industry development in the education sector. The Center has also built a framework that supports smart education projects at both the national and regional levels, and has developed a world-class platform for innovation in Educational Big Data.