The Impact of the ‘Excellent Engineer Education and Training Program’on University-Enterprise Collaborative Innovation: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Evaluation
Song Ziyu1,2, Peng Pai2
1. Dalian Minzu University,Student Affairs Department,Dalian 116600,China; 2. School of Education,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan 430074,China
Abstract:Reforming higher engineering education serves as a pivotal measure for promoting industry-education integration and stimulating collaborative innovation.Based on panel data from 104 universities affiliated with “Project 211” and provincial-ministerial co-constructed universities between 2007 and 2016,this study constructs a quasi-natural experiment and employs a staggered difference-in-differences model to evaluate the dynamic treatment effects of the “Outstanding Engineer Education and Training Program” on university-enterprise collaborative innovation.The results indicate that the policy significantly increased the number of university-enterprise joint patent applications at pilot universities,particularly in invention and utility model patents with higher technology transfer value.Moreover,the policy effect strengthened over time.Mechanism tests further confirm that the policy significantly enhanced the level of funding from enterprises and institutions as well as the number of scientific and technological research projects at the participating universities.Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effects were more pronounced in comprehensive and science/engineering-oriented universities,institutions in central and western regions,and those offering doctoral programs.As one of the first micro-econometric studies to uncover the dynamic innovation-driven effects of higher engineering education policies,this research provides important insights for deepening the mechanisms of university-enterprise collaborative training and facilitating the integrated development of the educational ecosystem,talent development,and industrial value chains.
宋子玉, 彭湃. “卓越工程师教育培养计划”能否推动校企协同创新——基于准自然实验的政策效应评估[J]. 中国科技论坛, 2025(11): 100-110.
Song Ziyu, Peng Pai. The Impact of the ‘Excellent Engineer Education and Training Program’on University-Enterprise Collaborative Innovation: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Evaluation. , 2025(11): 100-110.