The Exploration of the Relationship between General Higher Education and Vocational Higher Education in China Based on Lumann Theory and a Proposed Route to the Transformation of Chinese Higher Education

Abstract

With the deepening of the supply-side reform of economy in China, Chinese higher education are required to follow the speedy pace with efficient preparation of the pool of professionals ready for the restructuring and upgrade of different industries in Chinese economy. However, it is impossible to fulfill this purpose if the long-time disputed relationship between general higher education and vocational higher education in China cannot be timely straightened out. Based on Lumann theory, with the help of documentary analysis and literature study, this paper aims to explore the relationship of the two types of Chinese education, focusing on the evolution of the relationship from inequality, through equality, to harmonious co-existence with partially or completely integration with each other at different settings in the great context of present Chinese economic reform. Consequently, the chronologically logical exploration can lead to the conclusion that the present reform of Chinese higher education largely relies on how to deal with the relationship of the two types of educations in China, significantly providing a practical route for the present transformation of the majorities of Chinese local colleges and universities from the academy-oriented to the application-oriented.