(Yicai Global) Dec. 26 -- China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued a new policy to better manage the development of the fast-growing civilian drone market by calling on educational institutes.

The policy encourages higher education institutions and vocational schools to offer drone training courses to ensure the adequate supply of talent to the unmanned aerial vehicle sector.

Drone production in China will grow by more than 40 percent a year to hit CNY60 billion (USD9.2 billion) by 2020 and CNY180 billion by 2025, the policy document states, giving an average annual growth rate of more than 25 percent.

The new rules will bolster UAV manufacturing; bring in certification for civilian drones; allow qualified makers to engage in military drone development, production and maintenance; and encourage collaboration between companies and education and research institutions.

Some Chinese universities have already brought in UAV courses. Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Northwestern Polytechnic University have programs based around unmanned aircraft engineering.