The audacious and pioneering attempt by Beijing University to reform its deep-rooted academic tenure system, which aroused heated debates among the public, has been given the greenlight to go ahead.

The direction of the reform "accords with the grand trend of the reform of universities' personnel systems," said Lu Yugang, deputy director of the Personnel Department of the Ministry of Education, in Beijing on Thursday at a press conference.

The ultimate goal for the Beijing University reform is to stimulate the initiative and creativity of the faculty, and set up systems encouraging competition, said Lu, who also stressed step-by-step measures.

Zhang Weiying, drafter of the reform proposal, told the Beijing News that he was happy to hear this positive appraisal from the Ministry of Education.

In China, teaching in institutions of higher learning is widely regarded as a lifelong employment contract, which any college or university cannot easily do away with unless the employee chooses to quit or seriously violates relevant laws and regulations.

According to a draft plan launched by Beijing University last year, only professors will enjoy lifelong employment and the university will not offer tenured positions to associate professors, lecturers and assistant professors.

Instead, associate professors in arts and sciences and lecturers in all subjects are offered employment contracts up to 12 years.

If associate professors and lecturers fail in their promotions after appraisal and examination of their academic attainments within the contracted period, they would be dismissed.

The reform plan has been implemented in Beijing University since February 2004.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2004)