Revolutionizing Doctoral Education: Products Over Papers

China's higher education landscape is undergoing a transformative shift with the introduction of practical PhDs, where select engineering doctoral candidates can graduate by developing real-world products, prototypes, or techniques instead of submitting traditional lengthy dissertations. This reform, part of a strategic push to cultivate elite engineers, addresses longstanding gaps between academic theory and industrial needs.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), traditionally earned through rigorous research culminating in a comprehensive thesis often exceeding 100 pages, is being reimagined in China for engineering fields. Practical PhDs emphasize tangible outcomes like inventions scalable for industry use, evaluated through prototypes and real-life applications rather than written manuscripts. This model targets key sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and defense technologies, aligning with national innovation goals amid global tech competitions.

Launched as a nationwide pilot in 2023 by the Ministry of Education (MoE) alongside eight other agencies, the program has rapidly scaled. By early 2026, at least 11 students had earned these degrees since September 2025, with over 20,000 enrolled across 60 universities and more than 100 enterprises. This initiative responds to criticisms of paper mills, plagiarism, and irrelevant research, prioritizing practical impact.

Historical Roots in the Elite Engineers Plan

The practical PhD stems from China's Elite Engineers Plan, initiated in 2010 to produce top-tier talent capable of driving technological self-reliance. Facing U.S. export controls and tech blockades, the government recognized the need for engineers solving 'bottleneck' problems in strategic industries. Reforms accelerated in 2022 when top universities were directed to partner with corporations, establishing 50 graduate engineering colleges by 2026.

A pivotal 2024 law formalized graduation based on practical achievements for master's and PhD levels, exclusively in engineering disciplines. Tsinghua University, for instance, collaborated with 56 companies across 14 sectors, recruiting 1,430 students who secured over 100 patents while tackling industrial challenges. This evolution reflects a decade-long pivot from quantity-focused PhD production—China grants more doctorates than any nation—to quality-driven, application-oriented training.

The plan's success is evident: further education rates exceed 80% for participants, with many advancing to global top universities or leading firms. It integrates academia-industry ecosystems, where students rotate through enterprises, gaining hands-on experience under dual supervision—one academic, one practitioner.

Key Universities Leading the Practical PhD Pilot

Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), a cornerstone of China's defense tech ecosystem known as one of the 'Seven Sons of National Defence,' pioneered the model. HIT partners with over 60 enterprises and labs, involving nearly 3,000 PhD candidates in joint programs across 18 critical fields like electronics and quantum computing.

Southeast University in Nanjing awarded early practical PhDs, while Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi’an collaborates with giants like China North Industries Group. Tsinghua University in Beijing stands out with its vast scale. These institutions, often dubbed C9 League members (China's Ivy League equivalent), host the bulk of pilots, blending state funding with corporate resources for high-impact research.

• HIT: Focus on defense and nuclear tech.
• Southeast University: Civil and structural engineering innovations.
• Tsinghua: Broad sectoral coverage, patent-heavy outputs.
• Northwestern Polytechnical: Aerospace and materials.

Expansion to more universities is anticipated as pilots prove viable.

Trailblazing Case Studies: From Welders to Bridge Builders

Wei Lianfeng, formerly a nuclear-grade welder at China National Nuclear Corporation, became HIT's first practical PhD graduate in September 2025. His achievement: a vacuum laser welding process and specialized equipment for high-stakes applications where failure is intolerable, like nuclear components. Evaluated solely on prototypes and industry validation during oral defense by mixed expert panels, Lianfeng exemplified design-led research generating knowledge through creation.

Zheng Hehui at Southeast University developed Lego-like reinforced steel blocks assembling into bridge pylons, now deployed in the massive Changtai Yangtze River Bridge—a cable-stayed marvel spanning rail and road. Other successes include welding techniques with equipment and seaplane fire-fighting systems, proving scalability.

These cases highlight step-by-step processes: identify industrial pain points, prototype iteratively with enterprise input, validate at scale, defend outcomes orally. From concept to deployment, students bridge academia and application seamlessly.

Rigorous Requirements and Evaluation Process

Eligibility confines to engineering PhDs in pilot programs. Candidates must produce prototypes demonstrating real-life, scalable utility—new products, techniques, projects, or installations. Dual mentorship ensures balance: academic rigor meets industry pragmatism.

The evaluation skips theses for comprehensive oral exams by panels of scholars and engineers. Metrics include innovation novelty, feasibility, economic/technical value, and deployment evidence. For instance, 67 first-cohort graduates applied via practical contributions alone.

• Prototype development and testing.
• Proof of industrial application.
• Patent filings or enterprise adoption.
• Oral defense with live demos.

This structured yet flexible framework combats theoretical silos.

Photo by Wang Whale on Unsplash

Benefits Driving Innovation and Industry Alignment

Practical PhDs yield multifaceted gains. Primarily, they foster elite engineers solving 'technological chokepoints' in AI, semiconductors, and defense, bolstering China's self-reliance amid U.S. restrictions. Over 100 patents from Tsinghua alone underscore IP proliferation.

• Anti-plagiarism shield: Focuses on verifiable prototypes over publishable papers.
• Industry readiness: 20,000+ students gain enterprise rotations.
• Economic boost: Direct contributions to bridges, nuclear tech, aviation.
• Talent pipeline: Addresses hands-on skills deficit noted by experts.

Guo Tong from Southeast University notes it guides 'real research for strategic industries.'

Challenges and Criticisms in Implementation

Despite promise, hurdles persist. Academic supervisors often lack industry experience, necessitating robust pairing. Scalability beyond engineering remains uncertain, and assessing 'scale' uniformly poses subjectivity risks. Critics worry diluted scholarly depth, though panels mitigate this.

Li Jiang from Nanjing University highlights the 'big gap between books and hands-on needs,' but stresses industry co-supervision. Ensuring equity across regions and funding disparities is key as pilots expand.

Expert Perspectives on the Reform's Potential

Zong Yingying of HIT's graduate school argues many engineering solutions defy thesis formats, residing in technology itself. Wu Huaqiang, Tsinghua vice-president, celebrates solved industrial problems via student innovations. Innovation policy researcher Sun Yutao emphasizes prototype-scale proof.

Globally, parallels emerge in industrial PhDs (Denmark, UK), but China's scale and defense focus are unique. Experts foresee ripple effects, enhancing China's R&D competitiveness.

Global Implications and Comparative Insights

While U.S. PhDs emphasize publications, Europe's industrial doctorates offer hybrids. China's model, targeting 26,000+ students, could inspire reforms elsewhere, prioritizing employability. For international scholars eyeing research jobs in Asia, this signals opportunity in applied engineering.

Stakeholders praise balanced perspectives: academia gains relevance, industry accesses talent, students avoid 'publish or perish.'

Future Outlook: Scaling Practical PhDs Nationwide

MoE plans broader rollout, with training standards and accreditation pilots in 2025-2026. Projections: thousands more graduates fueling 'Made in China 2025' extensions. Monitoring success via patents, deployments, and career trajectories will refine the model.

Implications for higher ed: Shift toward outcome-based assessment, potentially influencing non-engineering fields. Aspiring PhDs should explore academic CV tips tailored to prototypes.

Photo by Lan Lin on Unsplash

Career Impacts and Opportunities in Reformed PhD Landscape

Graduates like Wei Lianfeng enter high-demand roles in nuclear, aerospace, civil engineering—boosting employability. Platforms like AcademicJobs.com higher-ed jobs list surging research positions valuing practical PhDs.

• Defense contractors seeking prototype experts.
• Tech firms in AI/semiconductors.
• Infrastructure giants for civil innovations.

Review professors via Rate My Professor; advance careers with higher-ed career advice. This reform positions China as a hub for applied doctoral talent.