National political adviser proposes to enhance talent cultivation for elite engineers in China

Xin Sijin, a national political adviser and chairman of the university council at Wuhan University of Technology, has proposed a series of measures to improve the quality of talent cultivation for elite engineers in China, suggesting better integration of education with industry practices.

Elite engineers are crucial for driving engineering and technological innovation. "However, there are gaps in the integration of industry and education, insufficient collaborative training bases, and limited real-world engineering practice opportunities," Xin said.

Xin emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between universities and leading enterprises, urging more companies to participate in joint training programs. The political adviser proposed that industries open their research and development environments to students, allowing them to tackle real-world engineering problems.

"We should regularly publish lists of engineering challenges and encourage academic teams to solve these issues, enhancing students' practical skills," Xin said.

He also highlighted the importance of digital tools in bridging gaps in practical training and called for improved management and quality monitoring of joint training programs. "Strengthening the ability to solve complex engineering problems through alternating work and study is essential," he added.

Although efforts have been made since 2010 to integrate practical training into engineering education, such as setting up undergraduate disciplines for elite engineers, challenges still remain in the homogeneity of training and the limited exposure of students to genuine industry. "Few engineering postgraduates are truly integrated into enterprises for long-term research," he said.

Xin called for national-level incentives to encourage enterprises to engage more actively in training programs, emphasizing the shared responsibility of society in talent cultivation.

"Training engineers is not just a task for universities. It is a societal issue that impacts the future development of our nation," Xin said, encouraging national-level laboratories to involve more postgraduate engineering students.

Wuhan University of Technology has been stepping up efforts to collaborate with industries in sectors such as construction, automotive, and transportation. "Many of our students are deeply embedded within enterprises through joint R&D centers. They conduct their primary research and select thesis topics directly from the industrial floor," Xin said.