The Formulation of the Independent College System: Dilemmas of Policy Transformation on China's Private Higher Education

The formulation of the independent college and the corresponding laws and regulations that initiate the independent college system, have been a national debate since its emergence in early 2000s. Scholars hold disparate views on this new type of private college featured with private-public partnerships. This study engages an interpretive study of the policy transformation on the establishment of the independent college system and finds the contradiction between the policy and realities. As a timely investigation of its realistic impacts on the sound growth of China's private higher education, it elicits further inquiry to policy makers, public universities, private investors, and other related stakeholders in this sector.