Most Chinese college students know how difficult it can be to change their major midway through their studies. Now, they have the opportunity to change their majors without restraint, providing they satisfy the entry requirements of the course they wish to change to. It is the first time Fudan University has allowed such activities, and the first time for any University in China.

After finishing senior high school, Chinese students can sit for the national university entrance examination. Either before or after the exam (depending on the regulations of the different provinces), students apply for several majors at a number of colleges or universities.

A student’s ranking in the national entrance examination will determine which university or college they can attend. The higher the student’s test scores, the more prestigious university or college they can attend. Depending upon their test scores, students will be enrolled into the university of their choice to take on the courses they prefer. Once this process has been completed it is very difficult for students to alter their choices.

In an important step, Fudan introduced a more flexible policy this year allowing students to changing majors. Wang Shenghong, president of Fudan University, has overseen the transition to a more lenient system, meeting with key personnel in the field. Wang said, “All schools and departments should work towards emancipating the mind, with the passing of time.” At the beginning of last semester, Fudan University made the decision that every department makes at least 10 percent of their course quota available for students whishing to alter their majors.

In total, 420 vacancies have been made available. Students in their first year, and with marks averaging over 70 percent (about a 2.5 GPA), can apply for a new major. All departments are required to publicize their subjects and assessment criteria two months prior to the application deadline, in order to give students enough time to make the necessary preparations. At the same time, examination committees have been established in each department to ensure that the principles of openness and fairness are being adhered to. So far, of the 420 students who have applied for new majors, 244 have been approved.

Zhang Xiaozhou changed his major from Computing to Chinese. “I give up my position in the ‘hot’ computer department not because of lack of ability, my grades average about 80 percent (equal to 3.2 GPA points), but because I think everybody has their own passions and talents. I therefore decided to change my major to Chinese, a course which is not considered nearly so ‘hot’. I don’t think I’ll regret my decision. We shouldn’t waste our gifts. A literate person, who devotes his time to computing will surely become rich, but will never achieve the status of a master artist. He would simply endure his job, not enjoy it. So I left computing, the course chosen by my parents, to satisfy my yearning for Chinese. Compared to those students who couldn’t change majors, I’m so lucky. So, many thanks to Fudan University!”

Zhu Yue changed his major from journalism to mathematics. “I don’t believe Chen Ning Yang would have won the Nobel Prize if he had stuck to experimental physics, a field he is not very strong in.”

Zhang Xuhuai changed his major from physics to biology. “I loved biology from a very young age, and won second prize in biology contest in Shanghai. I performed poorly in the Entrance Examination, so I had to enter the physics department. But I still loved my biology. Now my dream has come true.”

Xu Xin changed his major from mechanical engineering to international trade. “I changed my major just because I want to get a better job, after I graduate. I’m not concerned about morality. Changing major policy can produce a win-win situation.”

Relaxing the limitations previously imposed on changing majors gives students another chance to select their careers with a more mature outlook, said Sun Laixiang, vice president of Fudan University. “Students can take a more decisive role choosing their individual destinies. We believe that the students should have the ability to complete majors, different to the ones they started,” he added.

“Education should focus on the progress of students. All students should have right to select their own majors. This is the first step Fudan University has taken in following the standards of developed countries. As a Chinese saying goes, ‘a fish swims blissfully in a vast ocean; a bird soars freely in an open sky.’ Fudan University is aiming to become the vast ocean and open sky.”

(china.org.cn by Chen Lin, October 6, 2002)