Chinese Policy to Stimulate University-Industry Linkages in Nanjing

Rapid changes in the economic, social and academic environments often provide opportunities to develop new and advanced technologies. In China, recent literature on the role of universities suggests that university-industry linkages (UILs) play a substantial role in the development of high-tech industries. Since 1979 when the country became more open and underwent economic reform, Chinese central authorities, local governments, and universities have continued to set up various science and technology (S&T) policies to stimulate UILs, contributing to China's technological progress and economic growth. This study examines the role of S&T policies on UILs such as transfer of technology, joint research, and spin-off creation with a particular focus on Nanjing University (NJU) in Jiangsu Province. Nanjing has over 53 universities, ranking it behind Beijing and Shanghai in terms of S&T and higher education opportunities. By adopting "institutional methodology," this study contends that UILs not only benefit universities and industry but also society in terms of job training, consulting activities, joint research, R&D results commercialization, patent licensing, new business creation, and other aspects. Finally, we suggest that the Chinese experience, though with some problems, might enhance our understanding of how to stimulate UILs through the arrangement of various S&T policies.