Related stories

China's Education Authority Gives Green Light to College Student Marriage Major China Art Exposition Features Students's Works Many Things to Learn from Beijing Interview with British Ambassador to China Sir William Ehrman What's love to got to do with it? The vagaries of Valentine's Day in China World's Most Beautiful Books to Come to China

China Works to Create Well-rounded College Students

June 7-9 are crucial days for high school graduates who want to go to college in China. This is the time for nationwide university entrance examinations.

For most students, a university education means a better job, handsome earnings and a higher social status, while some view it as an opportunity to learn more and develop their abilities. Fortunately, for those who don't make it, they can try again next year.

The annual rite of spring is widely criticized because it encourages mechanical memorization, discourages independent thought and doesn't test the ability to solve practical problems.

The testing comes as some criticize students for their extravagant spending habits, lack of humanitarian concern and social apathy.

Chinese educators attribute all these to the emergence of multiple values in the course of social transformation and a neglect of moral education.

To this end, universities, prestigious ones in particular, are now working to cultivate the integrated quality of college students.

Shanghai-based Fudan University plans to divide this autumn's freshmen class into two groups -- one in the science and engineering school and the other in liberal arts school. In the first year of college, the students will learn general knowledge in two major areas and will specialize from their second academic year.