Summary

China is implementing a deep transformation in its PhD system in engineering: it will allow graduates to present a product, prototype or technical solution instead of a traditional thesis. This policy seeks to accelerate applied innovation, reduce academic fraud, and respond to the global technological war.

This change will affect hundreds of thousands of PhD students, and could generate a wave of new products, patents and technology startups in the next years.

The policy

Chinese universities—including elite institutions such as Southeast Nanjing University and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT)—are already implementing pilot programs where:

• PhD students can graduate with a physical product, technique, or facility instead of a thesis.
• The goal is to solve strategic technological "bottlenecks" (semiconductors, lasers, quantum computing, defense).
• The law that enables these practical doctorates was approved in 2024.

China seeks to replace the "publish or die" model with a tangible innovation model.

We must, from the macro and micro levels, think more and more, outside the jar.
Innovate, innovate, innovate, without losing humanity!

How many will be affected?

A projection for 2026 of ~550,000 doctoral students.

If the policy is applied to engineering areas (approx. 40% of the total), it would directly affect ~220,000 students.

Possible scenarios in the near future

2026-2027

• Universities adjust their evaluation processes.
• The first products (such as the modular steel system introduced in Nanjing) begin to be adopted by local industries.
• Slight increase in patent applications. Low but growing economic impact.

2027-2028

• Thousands of doctoral students will be developing functional prototypes.
• Chinese companies are beginning to compete to absorb talent with proven products.
• Strategic sectors (lasers, defense, semiconductors) receive a direct boost. Economic impact: moderate, improvements in industrial productivity continue.

2029

• An explosion of tech startups founded by PhD students is expected.
• China could see a significant increase in applied patents.
• The most successful prototypes are integrated into supply chains. Economic impact: high

2030+

• China could become the country with the highest production of applied innovation in the world.
• The market could receive tens of thousands of new products from doctoral students. Possible saturation in some sectors, with strong natural selection where only products with real and practical impact survive.
• Very high economic impact with global effects (even more).