Summary of Key Points
Wang Haoran, a doctoral student in engineering at Nanjing University, replaced his traditional graduation thesis with an independently developed "distributed fiber optic water resources monitoring technology," becoming the first doctor from the university to graduate based on practical achievements. This marks the official implementation of a reform in the Degree Law that eliminates the emphasis on solely academic papers. His technology has solved a critical issue in the safe monitoring of water conservancy projects and has been applied in national-scale projects such as the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, as well as exported to Europe, where it has been recognized as "internationally leading." The article emphasizes that innovation in engineering must be rooted in practical applications. The outdated system that values only papers wastes the time of mediocre students and limits the practical abilities of outstanding ones, failing to meet society's needs for individuals who can solve real-world problems.
Why This Doctor Didn’t Need a Thesis
Wang Haoran’s significant contribution is his "distributed fiber optic water resources monitoring technology." Essentially, this technology uses optical fibers as sensors—either buried in the soil or utilizing existing communication fibers—to detect underground temperature, vibration, and stress changes, which are then converted into data on soil moisture content and groundwater levels. Previously, monitoring water conservancy projects required drilling numerous wells, which was costly and had a limited coverage area. Now, a single fiber optic cable can perform long-distance, automatic, and continuous monitoring, effectively providing real-time insights into the underground conditions.
More importantly, this is not just theoretical research in a lab; the technology has been put to use in practical projects like the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng water supply system, and it has even been successfully implemented in Slovenia on a 1.2-kilometer pipeline. This demonstrates that its effectiveness far surpasses that of dozens of unimplemented papers.
Why Do Engineering Doctors Not Need to Write Theses?
The article explains that engineering is different from science. While sciences (such as theoretical physics) can conduct ideal experiments in labs (e.g., assuming a vacuum or zero gravity), engineering involves technologies that must be tested in real-world environments, where factors like wind, rain, tectonic movements, and animal activity can affect the results. For example, a water monitoring device developed in a lab may not function properly when used in the field, requiring continuous adjustment and problem-solving on-site.
Wang Haoran spent most of his doctoral studies at the construction sites, rather than in the university. The reform in the Degree Law recognizes that for engineering students, practical results that can solve real problems are more valuable than well-written papers.
What Problem Did This Technology Solve?
Traditional water conservancy project monitoring faced a major bottleneck: the reliance on drilling wells to install equipment, which was expensive and limited in coverage. For instance, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project’s extensive pipelines required countless wells. Wang Haoran’s technology overcame this by using fiber optics, either buried directly in the soil or utilizing existing communication fibers, enabling continuous monitoring over long distances. This has significantly improved the ability to detect potential safety issues (such as pipe leaks and dam deformations) in a timely manner.
What Are the Problems with the "Only-Papers" System?
The article highlights two key issues:
1. Waste of Time for Mediocre Students: Many students’ theses are merely compilations of literature or data manipulation to fit predetermined patterns, offering no real value and failing to develop practical skills.
2. Limitation on Outstanding Students: Talented students like Wang Haoran could have invested their time in innovation at the construction sites but are forced to spend months writing papers, hindering their ability to apply their knowledge.
In essence, the market and society need individuals who can solve problems, not just those who can write good papers. A graduate with numerous theoretical papers is less useful than one who can apply their skills in practical projects like the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.
What Direction Does This Case Point to for Educational Reform?
Wang Haoran’s example shows that educational reform should focus on:
- Diversified Assessment Methods: Evaluation should not solely rely on papers but also consider practical outcomes, such as technology applications, patents, and project successes.
- Integration of Education with Industry and Research: Students should gain experience in real-world settings (construction sites, factories, projects), rather than staying confined to laboratories.
- Training That Addresses Real Needs: Education should prepare students to solve practical problems, aligning with societal demands.
In the future, more engineering and other disciplines may follow Nanjing University’s lead in breaking free from the constraints of the "only-papers" system, making talent development more relevant to real-world needs.
In summary, this news story is not just about a doctor’s graduation; it highlights the need for educational reform to keep up with the times and focus on evaluating students based on their ability to solve practical problems. After all, a technology that enhances the safety of a major national project like the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and can be exported to Europe is far more valuable than any theoretical achievement.