China's Practical PhD Shift: Prioritizing Inventions Over Publications

In a bold move to redefine doctoral success, China has introduced practical PhDs in engineering, allowing candidates to graduate without a traditional thesis by demonstrating real-world inventions and prototypes. This reform, piloted at elite universities, directly addresses the rampant issues of paper mills and plagiarism that have plagued research publications. By shifting focus from mandatory academic papers to verifiable engineering outputs, the policy aims to foster genuine innovation while safeguarding research integrity in a landscape where fraudulent publications have surged.

Historical Context and Policy Evolution

China's journey toward practical PhDs began over a decade ago with 2010 reforms targeting 'elite engineers' to fuel national innovation. The momentum accelerated in 2022 when the Ministry of Education and other agencies launched nationwide pilots for university-industry graduate colleges. A pivotal 2024 law formalized the change, permitting engineering master's and PhD students to substitute theses with practical achievements like prototypes or major designs. These joint programs now span 50 colleges, enrolling over 20,000 students across 60 universities and 100+ enterprises, emphasizing fields critical to China's tech ambitions such as AI, semiconductors, and defense technologies.

Core Requirements for Practical PhD Graduation

Unlike conventional doctorates requiring a 100+ page dissertation backed by peer-reviewed publications, practical PhDs demand tangible outputs: functional prototypes proven scalable in real-world applications. Candidates must develop inventions like new equipment, techniques, or systems, evaluated via oral defenses by mixed panels of academics and industry experts. Dual supervision—one academic, one practitioner—ensures bridging theory and practice. Step-by-step, students identify industrial 'bottlenecks,' prototype solutions, test at scale, and document impacts through reports or patents, bypassing publication mandates.

• Prototype development and real-life validation
• Industry collaboration for scalability proof
• Oral defense focusing on engineering impact
• No mandatory journal papers, reducing fraud incentives

Pioneering Graduates and Real-World Case Studies

The first wave of practical PhDs emerged in late 2025. At Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), a top defense research hub, Wei Lianfeng graduated in September with innovations in vacuum laser welding processes and equipment, crucial for high-stakes manufacturing. Meanwhile, Southeast University's Zheng Hehui defended Lego-like reinforced steel blocks now integral to the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge pylons, revolutionizing civil engineering construction efficiency. Other successes include a seaplane firefighting system and advanced welding techniques, showcasing immediate industrial applicability.

Leading Universities Driving the Reform

Elite institutions spearhead implementation. Tsinghua University partners with 56 companies across 14 sectors, recruiting 1,430 students who secured over 100 patents. HIT collaborates with 60+ enterprises and labs, training nearly 3,000 doctorates. Northwestern Polytechnical University teams with defense giants like China North Industries Group. Southeast University exemplifies civil applications. These 'Seven Sons of National Defence' and C9 League members prioritize strategic tech, aligning education with national security and economic goals. For researchers eyeing opportunities, check research jobs in China's booming engineering sector.

Tackling Paper Mills and Plagiarism in Chinese Research

China's publication boom—leading globally with 2,342 'hot papers' as of August 2025—has been marred by fraud. Nearly 10% of cancer research originates from suspected paper mills, with 36% of Chinese papers flagged; rates hit 15% overall in biomedicine. Traditional PhDs mandate papers, fueling ghostwriting and fabrication. Practical PhDs sidestep this by valuing prototypes over pubs, explicitly targeting mills as noted in policy analyses. Ongoing crackdowns, including audits and court actions, complement the shift.Nature on practical PhDs

Statistics Highlighting the Research Publication Crisis

These figures underscore why invention-focused graduation combats fraud while boosting quality outputs. Explore higher ed career advice for navigating such reforms.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Experts Weigh In

Guo Tong, civil engineer at Southeast University, calls it "urgently needed" for solving strategic choke points. HIT's Zong Yingying notes many problems "are unsuitable for publication." Li Jiang from Nanjing University highlights the theory-practice gap, advocating industry-academic pairing. Critics abroad question rigor without theses, but proponents see it enhancing verifiable research integrity over quantity-driven mills.

Broader Impacts on Research and Innovation

Beyond fraud reduction, practical PhDs yield immediate patents and deployments, accelerating China's tech self-reliance amid US tensions. Students gain hands-on skills prized by employers; universities forge industry ties. For PhD aspirants, this opens doors to postdoc opportunities and faculty roles. In research publications, expect fewer low-quality engineering papers, more high-impact innovations.

Global Comparisons and Lessons for Other Nations

Industrial PhDs exist elsewhere (e.g., Denmark, Australia), but most retain theses. China's no-thesis model is unique for scale and defense focus. India debates emulation to curb its plagiarism woes. Western unis might adopt hybrids for applied fields. Researchers can rate professors guiding such programs.

Photo by Ahmed Nishaath on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Scaling Practical PhDs Nationwide

With 67 first-cohort applicants and expanding colleges, expect thousands more graduates by 2030. Policy may extend beyond engineering. Challenges include standardizing evaluations and IP management. Ultimately, this fortifies China's research ecosystem against mills, prioritizing inventions for sustainable progress. Stay updated via China academic jobs and university jobs.