南方科技大学开始招生自授文凭引发热烈讨论

    Wang Yuanyuan

    The South University of Science and Technology of China (SUST) in Shenzhen started enrolling students for experimental classes on December 18.

    Students who have finished two years of education at senior high school and been recommended by their high schools can apply by submitting* a personal statement. Entrance examinations will be held during the winter break in January.

    According to the school authority, eligible* students will be offered a full scholarship*, including exemption* from tuition fees* and a stipend* of 10,000 yuan (US$1,520) per person a year.

    Other students would be chosen from those who registered for examinations for the class of gifted young students in the University of Science and Technology of China and had sat the National College Entrance Examinations (NCEE) in 2010.

    Applicants can download application forms at the university Web site www.sustc.edu.cn and send the completed forms to the university by December 31.

    According to university president Zhu Qingshi, degrees issued by the university will not be accredited* by the Ministry of Education.

    “We will focus on how to educate excellent students with professional skills and creativity, which is what society needs right now. Whether they have a nationally recognized certificate* is not important. Most universities in the world also issue their own degrees. It will be a groundbreaking step in Chinese educational reform,” he said at a meeting with parents and students two weeks ago.

    However, many students in Shenzhen thought it would be risky to have a degree not approved by the ministry.

    “Students could have trouble finding a job in the future, particularly in some cities not familiar with this university. After all, having a nationally recognized certificate is the basic requirement of employers,” Zhong Shanshan, a Senior 2 student from Shenzhen Experimental School, said.

    Some netizens also doubted the university’s independent enrollment policy. “If the university holds its own enrolment examination rather than letting them take the National College Entrance Examinations, it could encourage corruption with rich people buying a position for their children at the university without strict supervision*. There are many flaws in the NCEE system, but it is so far the most effective way to protect fair competition,” a netizen called Zhugexiaoliang said at sznews.com.

    Some people, however, support the reform. “Reform is risky, but we cannot stop trying just to avoid making a mistake. I think reform at the university is heading in a new direction in which test scores are no longer important. If the reform proves successful, it will change the entire face of Chinese education,” said Lu Zhongxian, a teacher at Shenzhen Cuiyuan Middle School.