‘World-class’ universities are at the heart of S&T goals

Following a key political meeting that put reforms to higher education, science and technology, and the development of scientific expertise under the spotlight, China has set out new tasks to train and incentivise highly qualified, skilled young people in its bid for innovation-driven economic development.

The reforms include accelerating efforts to build world-class universities and in-demand academic disciplines.

The just-concluded Third Plenum of China’s Communist Party’s Central Committee, which has around 350 full and alternate members, set out the party’s medium- to long-term goals during its meeting held from 15 to 18 July in Beijing.

The final document that emerged from the plenum reiterated a commitment to science and technology as the “basic and strategic underpinnings" for Chinese modernisation, with science and technology (S&T) being mentioned frequently in the document.

A three-pronged approach underscores the government’s growth model known in party jargon as “new productive forces” – education reform, S&T structural reforms and institutional reforms for talent development.

Integrating education, S&T, and talent was first proposed during the 20th Party congress in 2022, but the government now has a new mandate for further reforms.

“In today's era, science and technology are the primary productive forces, talent is the primary resource, and innovation is the primary driving force. Technological innovation relies on talent, and talent cultivation relies on education,” said Chinese Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng, who spoke to media after the plenum on 19 July.

Huai said universities play an important role at the intersection of the three pillars, noting “major original breakthroughs” have been achieved in the sciences, including in quantum, life, material, and space sciences.

Further reforms

As part of its aim to deepen higher education reform, the Ministry of Education said it will implement plans to achieve breakthroughs in basic and interdisciplinary sciences in a quest for original innovation – part of its S&T self-sufficiency drive to reduce dependence on Western technologies as countries such as the United States seek to “decouple” from China.

Efforts to build world-class universities and “disciplines with Chinese characteristics” will also be accelerated, the ministry said. “This will see us making extraordinary moves to plan for disciplines and majors that are in urgent demand,” said Huai, referring to the demand for more STEM graduates.

According to a reform introduced by the ministry last year, 20% of all university majors in China will have been “adjusted and optimised” by 2025 to align with the national strategy.

The plenum document also called for coordinated efforts towards “integrated reform” of institutions and mechanisms pertaining to the three areas.

With more than 300 reform measures outlined in the plenum document the central government has set a deadline of 2029 to complete the tasks, coinciding with celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Reforms are already underway, including the restructuring and expansion of the Science and Technology Ministry and other responsible government organisations.

Academics’ response

Academics responded warmly to the new proposals, which some said will have far-reaching significance.

“The reform of institutions and mechanisms sets forth new requirements for our talent drive,” an academic from the newly established Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT) told University World News.

“To ensure that we can foster top-notch, innovative talent, SUAT would look at further strengthening the integration between industry and education, and between S&T and education.

“This would be done via platforms such as laboratories, national engineering technology innovation centres, tech platforms, incubators, industrial parks, and funds,” she said.

SUAT is the latest addition to China’s research-oriented universities that aspire to become world class. Located in the southern tech hub of Shenzhen, it will be dedicated to fundamental and cutting-edge scientific and technological research, and developing top innovation expertise.

But experts also point out that institutional reforms have not been progressing smoothly. Efforts in education, S&T and talent have lacked coordination in the past, leading to a “significant gap” between what is produced by the existing education system, and what is needed to drive innovation.

Aspirations outlined by the plenum aside, this calls for systemic changes to the way such expertise is cultivated, trained and supported.

Some have said privately that integration of higher education, science and industry is currently superficial, with limited mobility of scientists between universities, research institutes and enterprises.

“The leading talents, backbone forces, manufacturing craftsmen, etc required for scientific and technological innovation are difficult to cultivate, support and motivate, which to a certain extent has restricted the pace of innovation,” said Ma Liang, research fellow at the National Institute of Development and Strategy and Professor at the School of Public Administration and Policy at Renmin University.

Policy imperative

Experts said the Third Plenum had shown that China’s top leadership now sees this as a policy imperative.

New directives include building national hubs to attract and pool talent, maintaining a contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance, and mechanisms for “orderly flows” of talent across regions.

The government also stressed the development of young scientists to “unleash their full potential”.

“We will enhance the mechanisms for identifying, selecting, and training young innovators and ensure better pay and benefits for our young scientists and engineers. Relevant systems will be refined to ensure researchers can concentrate on research,” the resolution passed by the plenum reads.

For institutions, this may mean more autonomy for young scientists, according to the SUAT academic.

“If students can choose their own path forward, it would help create more sparks between them and cutting-edge technologies, which will definitely be more beneficial to future social development,” she said.