Nanjing University doctoral thesis defense system adopts Nanjing University graduate thesis defense management measures. According to the regulations, doctoral students in Nanjing University must publish academic papers related to their research direction before completing their thesis writing and defense. Generally speaking, doctoral students in Nanjing University must publish at least one academic paper in a well-known journal or publishing house recognized at home and abroad as the basis for their doctoral thesis, and ensure that the quality of the published paper meets the relevant requirements and is confirmed by the tutor. Therefore, according to "Nanjing University Doctoral thesis defense regulations", publishing academic papers is a necessary prerequisite to ensure doctoral thesis and defense.

Nanjing University is a national key university directly under the Ministry of Education of China, which is jointly established by the central and local governments and mainly managed by local governments. Founded in 1902, it was formerly known as Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau and Machinery Manufacturing and Repair College of Nanjing Normal University.