Selection of university head draws criticism
Source: Xinhua |
June 27, 2013, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
LIN Jianhua was appointed president of Zhejiang University, one of China's prestigious universities, amid controversy yesterday.
His appointment came months after the post became vacant, with alumni protesting against the "assignment system" used to fill the position.
The position became available after ex-President Yang Wei became the director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in February.
Netizens subsequently speculated that Lin, former president of Chongqing University, would be the most likely candidate to be selected by the Ministry of Education to take the position. Lin was previously vice president of Peking University.
The Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Ministry of Education are responsible for choosing the presidents of top universities like Zhejiang and Peking.
However, Zhejiang University alumni around the world launched an Internet campaign to protest the opaque selection process.
A former student using the screen name "haiwaiqiushiying" posted an open letter online on June 21, calling for alumni to jointly oppose Lin's expected appointment. "A university with a history of 116 years needs a president who has a proper education background in order to carry on its distinguished cultural legacy," the former student wrote.
The 58-year-old Lin is considered by many to be too old for the job.
His appointment came months after the post became vacant, with alumni protesting against the "assignment system" used to fill the position.
The position became available after ex-President Yang Wei became the director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in February.
Netizens subsequently speculated that Lin, former president of Chongqing University, would be the most likely candidate to be selected by the Ministry of Education to take the position. Lin was previously vice president of Peking University.
The Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Ministry of Education are responsible for choosing the presidents of top universities like Zhejiang and Peking.
However, Zhejiang University alumni around the world launched an Internet campaign to protest the opaque selection process.
A former student using the screen name "haiwaiqiushiying" posted an open letter online on June 21, calling for alumni to jointly oppose Lin's expected appointment. "A university with a history of 116 years needs a president who has a proper education background in order to carry on its distinguished cultural legacy," the former student wrote.
The 58-year-old Lin is considered by many to be too old for the job.
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