Evaluation of science and technology innovation ability of provincial colleges and universities in China

In this paper, an evaluation index system of science and technology (S&T) innovative capacity is designed, using the AHP method for weight assignment. The raw data of these third-order indexes is obtained from “Compilation of Science and Technology Statistical Information in Colleges and Universities”. Taking 31 provinces as samples, an evaluation on S&T innovative capacity of universities in various Chinese provinces is conducted. Significant differences are observed in university S&T innovation capacity in different areas. The eastern provinces generally have high capacity, the western provinces have low capacity, and the provinces in central regions have mid-level capacity. Beijing has the strongest overall S&T innovation ability, Shanghai and Jiangsu rank second and third, respectively; while Fujian province has sufficient strength in innovation efficiency. Most indexes of S&T innovation ability and GDP or GDP per capita indicate positive correlation. However, these correlation coefficients are not very strong.