In this era of knowledge economy, institutions of higher learning, the birthplace of modern knowledge, have every reason to be held in high esteem. Yet Chinese universities are threatened by a crisis in regard and a lowering of public credibility, according to an education blue book published on Friday.

 

Not an official government document, the blue book collates general perception of the country's education system by analyzing various surveys and studies and studying major events on campuses.

 

If studied carefully by policymakers, the blue book's negative conclusions as to China's institutions of higher learning could be of great benefit to the future development of higher education.

 

Plagiarism by university professors in dissertations and research programs, professors focusing on pulling strings to obtain more research funding, and the consequent lower quality of university graduates have all contributed to bringing universities into disrepute.

 

Instead of working to improve teaching conditions, some universities have made unpopular moves such as introducing golf to their curriculum to help the so-called "socializing capability" of their students. Meanwhile, many students have difficulty finding a seat in a library to do research or read.

 

Encouragingly, it seems like the Ministry of Education is taking steps to tackle such issues.

 

For example, recent regulations have ordered all professors to teach undergraduate courses. Those who fail to do so for two years will lose their positions.

 

Universities were once seen as ivory towers, places where professors were not concerned with material gains so great was their absorption in learning.

 

Many professors were thus called bookworms, mocking their faith in academia as simple and below the sophisticated politics which can pave their way to fame and wealth. Yet, such bookworms are sorely needed to bury themselves once more in their teaching and research.

 

(China Daily March 5, 2007)