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OPINION> EDITORIALS
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A welcome exception
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-29 07:44 This is not just an exception. It is an exemplary case of selecting the right person for right line of research. A 38-year-old man has been enrolled by the prestigious Fudan University in Shanghai to do his PhD in Chinese philology and etymology. And, with schooling only up to senior high school, under normal regulations Cai Wei would not be eligible for such an opportunity. However, there can and should be exceptions for talent in a particular field. Otherwise, the effort and aptitude of such deserving people will be wasted. This scholar's dedication of some 20 years to the study of ancient Chinese language in his spare time has made him an expert in the field. What is noteworthy is the fact that he has been doing it for neither fame nor money. His interest in the subject was the sole motivation for him to keep up his studies for more than two decades. This is in striking contrast to the casual, if not indifferent, attitude among university students and even professors, quite a number of whom are doing whatever they can to find fame and wealth.
The perseverance this man has demonstrated in pursuing what he loves to learn is what is lacking among many on the campus. Students and their professors are very easily distracted and can hardly involve themselves in what they are studying. That explains why there have been repeated reports of plagiarism or other forms of cheating by scholars. His enrollment should never be cited as a case against the existing national university entrance examinations and the mechanism for recruitment of students at the master and doctorate levels. Rules and examinations are undoubtedly necessary for institutions of higher learning to enroll students. But they should never be so rigid to prevent talented people from being enrolled, particularly for doctorate studies. It is heartening to know that Fudan University allowed the necessary autonomy to scholars of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering - top institutions in the country - as well as some outstanding professors, to enroll doctorate students on their own. This should ensure that these professors would be able to select the right students they need for conducting research. Even in such circumstances, it is indeed rare for a person with the education background of senior high school to be enrolled as a PhD student. Yet, there were examples of people who had never received higher education making the grade as good professors or excellent scholars in a particular field. This example, along with some others before, should serve as a reminder to institutions of higher leaning and professors that talented and hard working scholars from outside the formal tracks of higher learning should also have the chance to access the best education. And Cai Wei's enrollment should send out the message that dedication and persistence is what makes the difference when it comes to learning and research. (China Daily 04/29/2009 page8) |
