Search

Construction and Practice of a Long-Cycle Cultivation Model for Science and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition Projects

Author(s)

Tao Jiang1,*, Fei Xia2, Jingqi Zhang1, Youliang Tang1

Affiliation(s)

1School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Suqian University, Suqian, Jiangsu, China 2School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Suqian University, Suqian, Jiangsu, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

The China International College Students' Innovation Competition serves as a vital platform for evaluating the effectiveness of innovation and entrepreneurship education in higher education institutions. Addressing the common challenges faced by local applied undergraduate universities in cultivating technology-oriented projects—such as short-term "sprint" approaches, ambiguous development models, and weak educational outcomes—this paper adopts an action research methodology from the perspective of faculty mentors. Using the four-year development journey of the "Zhangliang Sifang" (OmniMeasure) project at Suqian University as a case study, the paper constructs a long-cycle cultivation model for technology-oriented competition projects. The study defines the model's essence and characteristics, proposes a three-stage framework—"Initiation—Iterative Enhancement—Sprint and Consolidation"—and provides an in-depth analysis of the key tasks at each stage and the pivotal role played by faculty mentors. Furthermore, the paper outlines the model's implications for educational reform regarding innovation and entrepreneurship curricula, evaluation and incentive mechanisms for faculty and students, and industry-education integration. It offers both a theoretical reference and a practical paradigm for local applied universities seeking to deepen the reform of innovation and entrepreneurship education and cultivate successful technology-oriented competition projects.

Keywords

China International College Students’ Innovation Competition; Long-Cycle Cultivation Model; Faculty Mentor Perspective; Action Research; Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Reform

References

[1]Zhao Xuan, Yang Liu, Dai Xi, et al. Cultivation of students' innovation and entrepreneurship ability based on the China International College Student Innovation Competition. Research and Practice of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Theory, 2024, 7(14): 194-198. [2]Liu Huabin, Zhang Qinying, Zhou Cheng. Exploration of Cultivation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ability of Application-Oriented College Students Based on the China International College Student Innovation Competition. Journal of Hubei Open Vocational College, 2025, 38(17):1-3. [3]Bin Shiyu, Sun Tao, Bin Quan, et al. Research on the transformation mechanism of college students' scientific and technological innovation achievements driven by the integration of science and technology projects and innovation competitions. Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Monthly, 1-10 [2026-03-16]. [4]Windsor, Yang Lichao, Su Fang, et al. Research on the path to improve college students' innovation and entrepreneurship ability from the perspective of "learning through competition". Journal of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, 2026, 48(01):128-131. [5]Jiang Siwei. A Study on the Cultivation and Practice of Students' Business Thinking Ability in the China International College Student Innovation Competition. China Science and Technology Investment, 2025, (21): 136-138. [6]Zhou Xiaowei, Li Xinjie, Sun Wenying, et al. Current Status and Optimization of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education under the Background of International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competitions. Journal of Shaoguan University, 2025, 46(05): 87-94. [7]Cheng Jinsheng, Chen Weiji, Wang Siju, et al. A Study on Participation and Influencing Factors of the China International College Student Innovation Competition from the Perspective of Students. Journal of Shaoguan University, 2025, 46(05):81-86. [8]Sun Weili, Chen Kairong, Zhou Linlin, et al. Research on scientific and technological innovation of higher vocational students—taking the project “Research on China’s first hyperbranched waterborne polyurethane new material” as an example. Research and Practice of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Theory, 2024, 7(03): 171-176. [9]Chen Libin, Guan Yuno, Liu Huan. “Promoting Innovation through Competition” or “Formal Participation”: An Empirical Study on the Impact of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition Management Mechanism on College Students’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ability. Educational Development Research, 2026, 46(01):65-74. [10]Wang Han, Shi Quan, Gao Ruifeng. Exploration of high-quality college student innovation project cultivation model under the perspective of industry-education integration. Research and Practice of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Theory, 2025, 8(09):180-182.