This research evaluates fund allocation and stakeholder perceptions in a vocational college, highlighting implications for funding mechanisms in higher education.
With the rapid development of China's industries, higher education has become a crucial pillar for national advancement. The allocation and utilization of educational funds directly affect the quality and sustainability of higher education. This study comprehensively analyzed the funding sources, allocation structure, and stakeholder perceptions at a vocational college in Huai'an City. By integrating interviews, policy context, and official data, the research adopted the five major social functions framework (talent cultivation; scientific research; social services; cultural heritage and innovation; international exchange and cooperation) defined in the 2017 national higher education policy as an innovative analytical dimension. The findings revealed that the institution relied primarily on government grants and tuition revenue, with the largest expenditures allocated to talent cultivation and scientific research. Stakeholder perceptions reflected distinct priorities: faculty emphasized process efficiency and disciplinary balance, students focused on fairness and experiential quality, while management prioritized infrastructure development and long-term planning. These findings can inform financial decision-making for higher education institutions and serve as a reference for optimizing funding mechanisms in China's vocational education.
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Wang et al. (2025) studied this question.
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