Nanjing University of Science and Technology and National University of Defense Technology are investing in marine research; the students from Harbin Institute of Technology are becoming more and more similar to each other in their development.

Summary of Key Points

The four universities that emerged from the division of Harbin Military Engineering Institute (Harbin Engineering University, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, and National University of Defense Technology) each had distinct academic focuses: Harbin Engineering University specialized in marine engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology focused on weaponry, Northwestern Polytechnical University concentrated on aerospace technology, and the National University of Defense Technology tackled cutting-edge research. However, in recent years, due to national strategic priorities (such as becoming a maritime and aerospace powerhouse) and the trend towards interdisciplinary integration, these institutions have begun to collaborate across their fields. Nanjing University of Science and Technology has expanded into marine information systems, the National University of Defense Technology has ventured into deep-sea research, and Harbin Engineering University has expanded its aerospace capabilities. Their educational models (such as the Qian Xuesen College and integrated bachelor's and doctoral programs) have also become increasingly similar. This convergence is not a sign of homogenization but rather a natural response to national strategic needs and an inheritance of the legacy of Harbin Military Engineering Institute.

1. From Separate Specializations to Cross-disciplinary Collaboration: Why Are Academic Boundaries Being Broken?

For decades, these four universities operated independently, with each specializing in a specific area: Harbin Engineering University as a leader in marine engineering (building aircraft carriers and deep-sea submersibles), Nanjing University of Science and Technology in weaponry development, Northwestern Polytechnical University in aerospace technology (the birthplace of the J10/J20 fighter jets), and the National University of Defense Technology in advanced computing and satellite systems. This division was based on the military branches' specialized needs during the institute's dissolution.

But things have changed: Nanjing University of Science and Technology has introduced marine information systems programs and established an underwater research center; Harbin Engineering University has renamed its School of Architecture as the School of Aerospace, aiming to obtain a doctoral program in aerospace; the National University of Defense Technology has merged its marine studies departments and organized a marine strategy conference. The reason for this shift is the new era's demand for interdisciplinary collaboration—equipment that can operate both in space and underwater requires expertise from multiple disciplines. National strategies have also shifted from focusing on individual military branches to promoting comprehensive development, meaning all universities must contribute to building a maritime powerhouse.

2. The Marine Field Becomes a New Priority: Why Has This Formerly Exclusive Domain Become a Common Arena?

Previously, the marine field was largely dominated by Harbin Engineering University, with Northwestern Polytechnical University only playing a supplementary role through its navigation studies. Now, all universities are interested in deep-sea research:

• National University of Defense Technology: In 2017, it merged its marine-related departments and held a marine strategy conference, declaring the ocean a new growth area. Even Academician Yang Shie, a pioneer in underwater acoustics, dedicated her final lecture to this topic.
• Nanjing University of Science and Technology: It has added a marine information systems program and built a 500-acre underwater research center in Xuyi to fill the gap in underwater ballistic research. More importantly, its new president, Yang Yixin, is an expert in underwater acoustics from Northwestern Polytechnical University, bringing that expertise to the university.

The reason is simple: The country's goal is to become a maritime powerhouse, which requires collaboration among multiple disciplines for deep-sea exploration and underwater equipment development. No single institution can achieve this on its own.

3. Harbin Engineering University’s Expansion into Aerospace: Why Is a Marine Institution Engaging in Aerospace?

Harbin Engineering University, known for its focus on ships, oceans, and nuclear energy, has recently expanded into aerospace:

• It removed the “Architecture” from its school name to emphasize its focus on aerospace.
• The newly established Qian Xuesen College offers programs in marine and aerial propulsion systems and interdisciplinary vehicles, training professionals for equipment that can both fly and navigate underwater.
• It has also strengthened cooperation with the former Air Force wind tunnel laboratory (Aerodynamics Institute) to pursue a doctoral program in aerospace.

This is not a shift away from its core strengths but a response to national needs for cross-disciplinary technology—future weapons may need to travel between air and water, requiring integration of marine and aerospace technologies. With its maritime foundation, Harbin Engineering University can develop more advanced interdisciplinary solutions.

4. Similar Educational Models: Why Are All Universities Adopting the Qian Xuesen College Model?

Harbin Engineering University has recently established a Qian Xuesen College with a model similar to those at the other three universities:

• Integrated bachelor's and doctoral programs;
• Dual mentorship system (university professors and industry experts);
• Focusing on cutting-edge technologies that challenge national limitations.

Northwestern Polytechnical University and the National University of Defense Technology already had similar programs. The reason for this common approach is that the country needs top-tier talents who can solve critical problems, which cannot be achieved through traditional academic frameworks alone. These programs provide practical experience and in-depth expertise in specific fields.

5. The Underlying Logic: Not Homogenization, but Synchronization

The increasing similarity among these universities is not due to imitation but a shared purpose:

• National Strategic Guidance: Building a maritime and aerospace powerhouse is a national goal, and all military-related institutions must contribute.
• Interdisciplinary Needs: Modern technology requires cross-disciplinary approaches; traditional specialized fields are no longer sufficient.
• Inheritance of the Harbin Military Engineering Institute’s Legacy: These universities were created to serve the nation, not for their own development. They continue to follow national needs.

In summary, this apparent competition is actually a form of collaborative effort, and this convergence reflects the spirit of the Harbin Military Engineering Institute in the new era.