The achievement evaluation meeting was held at the Dongguan Institute of Materials Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (DIMST, CAS). The evaluation committee consisted of seven senior experts and professor-level senior engineers from research institutes and high-tech enterprises. During the meeting, Wen Zhilin presented a novel soft magnetic structural material for high-frequency, high-speed motors independently developed by himself, and elaborated on its technological innovations and engineering applications. Following questioning and review, the expert panel concluded that the achievements featured a solid engineering foundation and remarkable innovation, overcame key technical bottlenecks in critical materials, demonstrated substantial industrial value, and met the standards for awarding a practice-based engineering doctorate. During the subsequent on-campus doctoral defense, the committee conducted an in-depth assessment of the achievement’s technological advancement, engineering complexity, and frontier significance, and unanimously approved the defense.

During his doctoral studies, under the joint supervision of university and industry mentors, Wen Zhilin focused on the development and industrial application of soft magnetic alloy materials for high-efficiency motors. Through participation in major provincial-level scientific research projects, he successfully addressed the long-standing industry challenge of achieving coordinated optimization between the mechanical and magnetic properties of soft magnetic alloys. As an important innovation in graduate education evaluation reform, SCUT’s breakthrough in awarding practice-based degrees continues the University’s distinctive approach to cultivating elite engineers. It also highlights the effectiveness of deep industry–academia–research integration and provides an exemplary model for the training of high-level engineering talent.

It is reported that in June 2025, the first cohort of three engineering master’s students at SCUT obtained their degrees with practical achievements, with one project recognized nationally as an “Outstanding Practical Achievement in the First National Elite Engineer Training Program.