[photopress:Renmin_University.gif,full,alignright]An editorial in China Business News takes a big stick to some of the problems of academics. An edited excerpt:
Zhang Ming, a professor of politics at Renmin University of China, was removed as department head and may lose his teaching position because of his conflicts with the dean of the School of International Studies.
Professor Zhang says the conflicts were not rooted in personal resentment but were caused by disagreements over the meaning of ‘administrative academics’.
In this year’s government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao, he mentioned various measures the government has taken to develop education. In a work meeting last November, the premier also expressed his concern over producing an increasing number of qualified personnel. It is not enough to expand enrollment and increase hardware. The key point should be building an open culture on campus.
Netizens had a lively response to the premier’s worries. Many mentioned the need to reform the system of educational management. They wanted more academic power and less administrative power in education.
On many campuses administrative power prevails over academics. Academic committees remain dormant while administrative departments decide almost everything. Administrative power controls the allocation of all resources.
Source: China.org.cn