Why China is So Good at Engineering

China’s impressive engineering prowess can be attributed to a combination of strategic leadership, education reform, and investment in research and development. The country’s transformation into an engineering powerhouse began in the late 1970s when Deng Xiaoping, then China’s leader, visited Japan and was fascinated by the country’s high-speed trains, roads, and rapid industrialization.

Deng recognized that the key to Japan’s success lay in its strong foundation in engineering and mathematics education. He implemented significant changes in China’s education system, including:

• Emphasis on STEM Education: Deng shifted the focus from history, political science, and ideology to mathematics, physics, and engineering.
• Teacher Training: He invested in training secondary teachers to educate students in mathematics.
• Scholarships: Deng introduced the PRC Scholarship, which sent students to study engineering and teaching in the USA, UK, Canada, and Japan.

Subsequent leaders, including Jiang Zemin and Xi Jinping, built upon Deng’s foundation. Jiang introduced mining and metallurgy as engineering disciplines and brought in professional engineers as project consultants. Xi focused on fine engineering and micro-engineering, aiming to increase the workforce in this area to 1 million by 2035.

China’s investment in research and development has also been crucial to its engineering success. The country began its first state research fund in 1987 with $3 million, which has since grown to $366 billion annually.

Key Factors in China’s Engineering Success

• Leadership: Strategic leadership and vision have driven China’s engineering transformation.
• Education Reform: Emphasis on STEM education and teacher training have produced a skilled workforce.
• Research and Development: Investment in R&D has enabled China to innovate and stay ahead.
• Meritocracy: China’s merit-based system has allowed talented individuals to rise to the top.

As Nigeria seeks to develop its own engineering capabilities, it can learn from China’s experience. By prioritizing STEM education, investing in research and development, and promoting meritocracy, Nigeria can unlock its potential and become a leading nation in technology, wealth, and influence.