Following disclosure last week of a financial scandal involving a former president of one of China's major universities the country’s Ministry of Education has asked all colleges and universities to thoroughly account for their use and management of capital.

 

Wang Xuming, the ministry's spokesman, said on Tuesday that when problems were detected universities must rectify their management quickly and responsible people should be investigated for possible violations of financial and economic discipline.

 

Future uses of large sums of money in universities must undergo scientific analysis and discussion among leading groups so as to ensure fund safety, Wang said. Colleges should "learn profound lessons" from the scandal of Shan Ping, added Wang.

 

Shan Ping, former Tianjin University president, has been suspended from his post in the municipal legislature due to a "serious breach of duty". Born in 1946 Shan is alleged to have made serious mistakes during his term as university president and caused great losses.

 

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China was said to be investigating the allegations.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2006)