Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (7): 15-32.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2026.07.002

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International Science and Technology Exchanges and University-Industry Innovation in an Era of Deglobalization: Evidence from STEM Disciplines in 56 Ministry-Affiliated Universities

Lan Xu1, Jingjing Xu1, Weiyi Cai2, Xiaoqi Meng2   

  1. 1. Center for Higher Education Development, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
    2. School of Economics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
  • Online:2026-07-01 Published:2026-06-23

Abstract:

Against the backdrop of rising deglobalization, Chinese enterprises encounter growing obstacles in technological innovation and global cooperation. In this context, leveraging the international resources and expertise accumulated by universities, university-industry collaboration presents a critical path for enterprises to overcome these challenges and advance national sci-tech self-reliance and self-strengthening. Based on 56 universities directly under the Ministry of Education as research samples, Difference-in-Difference (DID) and Difference-in-Difference-in-Difference (DDD) models are employed to examine the impact of international science and technology exchanges by Chinese universities on university-industry innovation in the context of deglobalization. The results show that the international science and technology cooperation by universities significantly promote university-industry innovation in China. Key mechanisms driving this effect include the “intellectual-driven” effect of overseas talent recruitment, the “knowledge-transfer” effect of joint publications with foreign universities, and the “technology-derivative” effect of overseas patent applications by Chinese universities. Heterogeneity analysis revealed that the level of international science and technology exchanges has a stronger positive effect on university-industry innovation in key core technology fields, and the strengths of university disciplines also play a more significant role. Moreover, recruiting overseas talent (particularly from the USA) and fostering international cooperation more effectively promote such innovation. Therefore, it is imperative to establish university-industry collaborative innovation platforms, promote the alignment of their internationalization strategies, and enhance the systems for international science and technology exchanges and the cultivation of global competencies within universities.

Key words: deglobalization, internationalization of higher education, university-industry innovation