Eight university teams from northern China have been selected to compete in the group dance category at the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, which will be held from Aug 14 to 17.

The finalists, drawn from institutions in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Shanxi provinces, as well as the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, were chosen from a pool of 32 teams representing 19 universities. The selection followed a regional competition hosted by Beijing Information Science and Technology University on Saturday.

The team from Beijing Information Science & Technology University presented a dance integrating elements of Wing Chun martial arts.

The university is a pioneer in robotics education in China. It launched the interprovincial robot games in 2011.

"The initial idea was to promote learning through competition," said Wang Xingfen, vice-president of the university.

Over the years, the competition has embodied the principle of integrating education, technology, and talent to promote interactions between universities and industries, aligning with cutting-edge technologies and nurturing students, she said.

Robotics has emerged as a strategic industry for Beijing. The field forms part of the capital's efforts to build a high-end, precision-driven economy. It is one of four key sectors prioritised for future development.

According to Li Jingtao, director of the higher education department at the Beijing Education Commission, robotics engineering is gaining significant traction in the city's universities.

"Currently, 15 universities in Beijing offer undergraduate programs in robotics engineering, with 395 students enrolled in 2024," he said.

In addition, more than a dozen universities provide master's and doctoral programs in the field. Many others have launched research tracks in intelligent robotics under established disciplines such as control engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science, he said.

"The education system must deliver both talent and innovation in this field," he added.