buaa was among the nation's first 16 key universities back in the 1950s, and among the top 15 for priority development during china's 7th five-year plan period (1986–1990). during the 8th five-year plan it was listed among the top 14 for priority development, and at the start of the 9th five-year plan buaa was among the first batch of 15 universities in "project 211 for higher education." as it entered the new century and millennium, the university was again listed in china's action plan for the revitalization of education in the 21st century. buaa has grown into an open, multi-disciplined, research-oriented university of engineering science and technology with an emphasis on aeronautical and astronautical engineering. the university now has 40 undergraduate majors, 65 master programs, and 36 second-level doctorate programs in 2nd level disciplines and 12 post-doctorate stations. in 10 disciplines of the 1st level buaa is authorized to confer doctor and master's degrees.