Navigating Excellence And Innovation: A Comprehensive Study Of China's "Double First-Class" Initiative In Higher Education

Abstract

This study explores the implementation and ramifications of China's "Double First-Class" initiative, a major educational policy launched in 2015 aimed at transforming selected universities and disciplines into world-class entities. Focusing on the period from 2015 to 2022, this research investigates how specific units within participating universities have responded to the initiative in terms of faculty recruitment, curriculum development, research focus, and international collaborations. Employing Institutional Theory, the analysis examines how universities adapt to, conform with, or resist these mandates, and assesses the extent to which the initiative fosters homogeneity or diversity within China's higher education system. The findings reveal varied adaptations across institutions, influenced by existing disparities and institutional capacities, highlighting a complex interplay between global competitive pressures and local educational values. This study contributes to the discourse on global higher education reforms by providing insights into the nuanced processes of policy implementation and the strategic positioning of Chinese higher education within the global knowledge economy.