Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impact of educational background, particularly the relevance of pursuing a PhD, on entrepreneurial success, highlighting that many successful entrepreneurs did not pursue doctoral studies and questioning the current educational system's effectiveness in fostering practical skills [10][11]. Group 1: Entrepreneurial Backgrounds - Liang Wenfeng, after completing his master's degree, co-founded a quantitative hedge fund, which quickly grew to manage over 100 billion [5][6]. - Wang Xingxing, despite initial setbacks in his academic journey, eventually secured funding for his company, Yushutech, after working at DJI [7][8]. - Wang Tao, the founder of DJI, started his company in a small warehouse and received crucial support from his mentor, leading to DJI's rise as a global leader in drones [8]. Group 2: Educational Insights - The article emphasizes that practical experience is more valuable than formal education, suggesting that the current educational system should focus on transforming knowledge into practical skills [10][11]. - It raises concerns about the current PhD education system, where many students spend significant time on non-research tasks, indicating a need for reform [10][11]. Group 3: China's Engineering Advantage - China ranks second in AI innovation globally, with a significant increase in AI patent applications, indicating a strong growth trajectory in the tech sector [15][16]. - The country boasts a large pool of educated individuals, with over 250 million people holding a university degree, providing a robust foundation for innovation and entrepreneurship [15][16]. - The article highlights the "engineer dividend" in China, suggesting that the country is well-positioned to produce leading global companies in advanced technology sectors [16].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impact of educational background, particularly the relevance of pursuing a PhD, on entrepreneurial success, highlighting examples of successful entrepreneurs who did not pursue doctoral studies [2][9]. Group 1: Entrepreneurial Backgrounds - Liang Wenfeng, after completing his master's degree, co-founded a quantitative hedge fund and later established DeepSeek, focusing on AI, which gained significant attention in 2023 [4][12]. - Wang Xingxing, who faced challenges in his academic journey, eventually founded Yushutech after receiving investment support, demonstrating the importance of practical experience over formal education [6][7]. - Wang Tao, the founder of DJI, also exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit, having started his company with limited resources and support from mentors, emphasizing the role of practical knowledge and experience [7][11]. Group 2: Educational Insights - The article raises questions about the effectiveness of the current PhD education system in fostering practical skills and real-world applications, suggesting a need for reform [9][10]. - It argues that true capability is developed through practical experience rather than solely through academic knowledge, advocating for a closer integration of education with industry [9][10]. Group 3: China's Engineering Advantage - China is experiencing a significant "engineer dividend," with a large population of highly educated individuals contributing to innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in AI and technology sectors [13][14]. - The article cites a report indicating that China ranks second globally in AI innovation, with a substantial number of patents filed, showcasing the country's growing technological prowess [13][14]. - The presence of a vast pool of skilled engineers is seen as a critical factor for the success of high-tech companies in China, providing a competitive edge in the global market [14][15].