Exploring the Role of International Research Collaboration in Building China’s World-Class Universities

Duanhong Zhang, Wenjia Ding, Yang Wang and Siwen Liu
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Duanhong Zhang: Institute of Higher Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Wenjia Ding: Institute of Higher Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Yang Wang: Institute of Higher Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Siwen Liu: Institute of Higher Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: This study explored the international research collaboration led by China’s world-class universities and its impact during the first construction cycle of the “Double First-Class” initiative (2016–2020). We collected international collaborative publications based on the Scopus database and examined the performance of international research collaboration in terms of quantity, impact, collaborative networks, and subject areas using scientometric indicators and social network analysis. We found that international collaboration accounts for only a quarter of the total output but is far above the overall level of scientific papers in terms of quality and impact. The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Hong Kong remain China’s closest partners. Meanwhile, ties with Belt and Road partner countries have become stronger with the introduction of foreign policy. China’s medicine and multidisciplinary research have gained prominence in the context of the global health crisis. Thus, international research collaboration effectively improves research performance, deepens academic networks, and disseminates local issues and solutions to the world, thereby enabling China’s world-class universities to reconcile global engagement with Chinese characteristics.

Keywords: world-class university; international collaboration; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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