New Delhi: The recent decision by top Chinese universities to allow PhD students to graduate with a product instead of a traditional thesis, as reported by South China Morning Post, represents more than a mere policy twist, it underscores a sweeping global realignment in the role of higher education. What matters now is not the number of pages written, but the solutions built.

For India, this isn’t a radical new direction, it’s a confirmation of what policymakers, educators and entrepreneurial youth have been quietly nurturing for years.

Why this matters, globally and for India

The conventional academic model, heavy on thesis-based research and publications, belongs to an era where knowledge accumulation and documentation were primary. As the pace of technological change accelerates, the world needs deployable solutions, not just documented theories. Products, prototypes, patents, market-ready innovations, these are what drive economies, shape industries, and address societal challenges.

When a country as formidable as China transitions its PhD evaluation toward “product over prose,” it signals that universities must now double as innovation factories, and scholars must deliver real-world impact.

India, with its vast youthful population, rising startup energy, and a growing research base, is arguably........

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