Ding Qiliang is a university student keen on probing the use of bioinformatics in human evolution studies.

That somewhat esoteric field of study is at the cutting edge of biological science. Ding is a perfect example of the kind of talent China wants to identify and nurture in its quest for a new generation of innovators.

Ding is one of 5,500 participants in the nation’s Topnotch Talent pilot program. In 2009, the Ministry of Education implemented the program in 19 of China’s most prestigious universities, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University and Jiao Tong University.