Abstract: There are many difficulties in engineering in private colleges and universities. One is the restriction of teachers and practical conditions. It is difficult to recruit and retain engineering teachers, long training period, large investment and daily consumption of engineering practice equipment; Second, the current situation of "one high and one low". Policy support, the source of teachers and students' employment are also the problems faced by private colleges and universities. Many private colleges and universities have complete disciplines, but they have no characteristic advantages. It is difficult for students to find jobs and their employability is weak. If private colleges and universities want to overcome their own difficulties and get the full recognition of the society, they should seize the opportunity to improve their scientific and technological innovation ability. This paper uses the method of questionnaire survey to investigate and analyze the situation of engineering students' participation in scientific and technological innovation activities in private colleges. This paper puts forward some countermeasures to promote the scientific and technological innovation activities of engineering students in private colleges and universities.

Key words: Private colleges and universities, New engineering, College students, Technological innovation