PhDs for the Real World

In most countries, earning a PhD means writing a dissertation. Hundreds of pages of theory, research, and citations that very few people will ever read. 

China decided to try something different. Under a law passed in 2024, select universities can now award engineering doctorates based on physical prototypes, new techniques, or major installations instead of traditional papers. 

The rule is straightforward: build something that works in real life and at scale, and you can graduate. 

The first cohort has already finished. Zheng Hehui earned his doctorate by designing reinforced steel blocks that snap together like LEGO to form massive bridge pylons. His invention is already in use on the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge, the world's longest cable-stayed bridge. 

Wei Lianfeng became the first practical PhD graduate at Harbin Institute of Technology by developing vacuum laser welding processes for the Nuclear Power Institute of China. 

Another candidate built a fire-fighting system for large seaplanes. 

At least 11 engineers have now earned their doctorates through this route. Since 2022, more than 60 universities and 100 companies have collaborated, selecting over 20,000 students for practical doctorate programmes. 

The goal is to close the gap between academic theory and industrial application, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence and semiconductors. One student built a bridge. Another welded nuclear components. And they got the same three letters as everyone else.

Yesterday, Malaysia's top women's doubles pair, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan, successfully defeated Ukraine's Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr in the Round of 16 at the China Open. 

They took just a swift thirty minutes to wrap up a straight-games victory, winning 21-19, 21-12. 

They're in the last eight and today, they will play Japanese nemeses Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto, whom they hold a 5-4 head-to-head advantage.

National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky believes the Japanese world No. 3 pair will have an edge as the Malaysians are still finding their footing on the World Tour.

"Against the Japanese pair, they will start as the underdogs. However, Pearly and Thinaah have beaten them before, so I hope they will fight all the way and regain their momentum", added Rexy. 

Current form suggests Fukushima-Matsumoto will start as favourites, but the China Open also presents Pearly-Thinaah with an opportunity to rediscover the form that once took them to world No. 2.