University industry integration Research Project
An International Collaboration.
The research project “University–Industry Integration Policies and Practices in China – Potential Applications in Hungary” explores how Chinese models of university–industry collaboration can inform higher education development in Hungary. Led by Wekerle International University in cooperation with MCC’s Learning Institute, the project aims to promote institutional innovation, support bilateral partnerships, and offer practical strategies for university modernisation.
Edit Csanák - Vice Dean for Science at Óbuda University
Hao Zhang - Deputy Director of China National Academy of Education Sciences
Hong Yu - Dean of Sino-UK College of Fashion and Design, Zhejiang Fashion Institute of Technology
Imre Balogh - Rector of Wekerle International University
János Setényi - Director of Learning Institute of Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC)
Jian Geng - Dean of the Industrial Academy of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Katalin Márton - Director of Human Capital Strategy - The Central Bank of Hungary
Mike Danilovic - Professor of Industrial Management, Shanghai DianJi University, Ass. Vice President for International Partnership, Director of Stockholm Center
Tengteng Zhuang - Associate Professor, Beijing Normal University
Youmin Xi - Executive President of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of University of Liverpool
Yuerong Zhou - Vice Dean of the School of Business and Foreign Languages, Shenzhen Polytechnic
Yunxiao Xu - Dean of Peking University Sustainability Research Institute
Our Project Members
The research project “University–industry integration policies and practices in China – potential applications in Hungary” explores Chinese (national/provincial) policies and (local/institutional) practices related to university–industry integration (UII), with a special focus on leveraging university–industry cooperation (UIC) to support institutional development and reforms.
This two-year project is being implemented by Wekerle International University (WIU), with funding from the Hungarian Government (through the Tudás-Tér Alapítvány foundation), in cooperation with the Learning Institute of Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCCLI). The research is conducted under the professional leadership of a senior MCCLI researcher and is supported by an international advisory board.
The project aims to assist Hungarian higher education leaders in designing strategies and tools to strengthen UIC for institutional advancement. It also seeks to deepen academic partnerships between Chinese and Hungarian universities, promoting bilateral cooperation and mutual learning in the field of technological innovation. In addition, the project supports the upgrading of WIU – as the only Chinese-owned higher education institution in Hungary – by enhancing its role in attracting international students and advancing the internationalisation of Hungarian higher education.
The research is conceptually grounded in theories of knowledge transfer, the university’s third mission, the Triple/Quadruple Helix, and the Knowledge Triangle, while also incorporating distinctive Chinese approaches to university–industry integration. Emphasis is placed on using UIC as a tool for university modernisation, including concepts such as reverse and bi-directional knowledge transfer, where knowledge flows also from industry to academia.
The project adopts a broad definition of "industry", encompassing not only traditional manufacturing but also emerging sectors such as services and the creative industries – thus addressing the full range of the university’s third mission.
Methodologically, the project follows a qualitative research design, combining document and literature analysis, institutional case studies, hybrid-format workshops and conferences. Detailed case studies of UII policies and practices in various Chinese cities – with a focus on business studies, engineering, and creative industries – will provide empirical depth. Elements of action research will also be incorporated to support the immediate application of findings to institutional development at WIU.
Through this approach, the project seeks not only to generate new academic knowledge but also to stimulate practical change within universities.
Expected outcomes include a series of expert reports, detailed case studies, an analytical final report, academic publications, a toolkit for university leaders, and a concluding conference aimed at fostering new partnerships between Chinese and Hungarian universities. These outputs will contribute to developing sustainable models of UIC that support higher education innovation and bilateral cooperation.
----------------
项目简介
该研究项目“中国产学融合政策与实践——在匈牙利的潜在应用”探讨了中国（国家/省级）层面的政策以及（地方/院校）层面的产学融合实践，特别关注如何利用产学合作来支持高校的制度发展与改革。
该为期两年的项目由维克勒商学院实施，资金由匈牙利政府通过“知识空间基金会”（Tudás-Tér Alapítvány）提供，并与马蒂亚斯·科尔维努斯学院学习研究院合作开展。研究在一位马蒂亚斯·科尔维努斯学院高级研究员的专业指导下进行，并得到一个国际顾问委员会的支持。
该项目旨在协助匈牙利高等教育领导者设计战略与工具以加强产学合作，推动高校的发展；同时该项目还致力于深化中匈高校之间的学术合作，促进在科技创新领域的双边合作与相互学习。此外，项目还支持维克勒商学院的提升——作为匈牙利唯一一所中资高等教育机构，维克勒商学院将在吸引国际学生和推动匈牙利高等教育国际化方面发挥更大作用。
在理论框架上，本研究以知识转移、高校“第三使命”、三螺旋与四螺旋模型，以及“知识三角”等相关理论为基础，同时融合中国在高校与产业融合方面形成的特色路径与实践经验。项目尤其强调产教融合在高校现代化中的战略作用，重点探讨“反向知识转移”和“双向知识流动”等机制，即不仅高校向产业输送知识，产业也可反哺高校的科研与教育体系。
项目所界定的“产业”范围广泛，除传统制造业外，还涵盖新兴服务业、创意产业等多个领域，全面契合高校“第三使命”的功能定位。
在研究方法上，项目采用定性研究方法，综合运用政策文件与文献分析、机构案例研究、线上线下结合的工作坊与学术会议等形式。通过对中国多个城市（重点聚焦商科、工程学与创意产业领域）中产学融合政策与实践的深入案例研究，为本项目提供坚实的实证支撑。同时，引入行动研究方法，推动研究成果直接服务于维克勒商学院的机构发展需求。
项目不仅致力于产出新的学术知识，更注重成果的现实转化与实践应用。项目预期成果包括：专家咨询报告、案例研究、综合分析报告、学术论文、高校管理者产教融合策略工具，以及旨在推动中匈高校深度合作的结题会议。这些成果将为构建可持续的产学融合模式提供理论与实践支持，助力高等教育改革与中匈双边合作的深入发展。
Research Partners
Studies Regarding the Project
Dr. Tengteng Zhuang
Main consultant of the project
He is preparing two papers on the subject of UII; The evolution of China’s UII policy from 2014 to the present, and a case study on the UII-related activities of Chinese universities.
Dr. Feifei Wang
Author of expert paper
She is preparing a case study about the university-industry cooperation (UIC) and university-industry integration (UII) related activities of Chinese universities in health/medical education.
Dr. Xin Huang
Author of expert paper
She is preparing an analytical report on China’s UII policies and practices based on the articles published in the journals "Research on the Integration of Industry and Education" and "Integration of Industry and Education Journal".
Prof. Yuerong Zhou
Author of expert paper
Preparing a case study about the impact of activities related to university-industry integration (UII) on education and training in Shenzhen Polytechnic University.
Kovács István
Author of expert paper
He is preparing a study presenting ex-ante impacts.
Dr. Baráth Tibor
Author of the handbook
He is preparing a comprehensive toolkit on cooperation between universities and industry to support the creation of strategies for the development of higher education institutions.
