Source: Nafang Daily 2014-03-12 Page A09
Written by: Lei Yu
Translated by: Wang Chun, Jiang Jun
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

"Judging from international experience, it is the time for major original innovations. This opportunity knocks only once, so we cannot wait." Yesterday, in the interview with Nanfang Daily, NPC Deputy and Sun Yat-sen University Xu Ningsheng suggested that the Pearl River Delta should be listed in the pioneering districts of major innovations in education, science and technology, so that we can seize the opportunity and take one step ahead in major original innovations and core technologies.

On science and technology innovation: give priority to reform and development of education, science and technology

According to this year’s Report on the Work of the Government, innovation is the motive force for adjusting and upgrading the economic structure. We need to make innovation the core of China’s development endeavors. Xu Ningsheng is very excited, “only by innovation can we create the new, and only by creating the new can we lead the world.”

"For China, this opportunity of major original innovations cannot be missed,” said Xu Ningsheng. Looking at the whole world, major science and technology layouts were formed during the rapid economic development. Once economy is developing at a low speed, it cannot provide enough force for major scientific original innovations. Moreover, it is inadvisable to merely introduce core technologies. We must rely on original innovations.

More than 20 years ago, Comrade Deng Xiaoping set the target for Guangdong province to surpass the “Four Asian Tigers”. This year, the GDP of Guangdong is about to overtake that of South Korea, the last “tiger”. Xu Ningsheng suggested that Guangdong should include education, science and technology into priority areas of reform and development, and apply to the country for permission to list the Pearl River Delta in the pioneering districts of major innovations in education, science and technology. In regional distribution, comprehensive considerations should be given to avoid the limitations of municipal administrative divisions so as to allow the whole chain to be distributed in the Pearl River Delta area.

Guangdong is now facing a new round of reform and development opportunities. Xu Ningsheng said that, with the support of internationalization, major platforms and talent introduction projects, Sun Yat-sen University will give full play to its advantages in major scientific original innovation, core technology innovation and achievement incubation mechanism innovation to make new contributions to Guangdong’s reform and development.

On hot issues about education: The Charter of Sun Yat-sen University will be issued this year

During the NPC and CPPCC sessions this year, the issues about educational reform were heatedly discussed. As for the reform of the National College Entrance Examination, Xu Ningsheng held that reform is necessary but we must be cautious. Under the current conditions in China, the basic framework of the examination should not be changed, while it can be made more reasonable. High school education should be well linked to university education.

About the reform in independent recruitment of students, Xu Ningsheng thought that current problems are just individual cases. The Ministry of Education has issued a set of relevant documents and polices. In the process of implementation there are some loopholes. He believed that the problems will be gradually solved through open and transparent regulations.

Talking about devolving the autonomy of running schools, Xu Ningsheng pointed out that considering the vast territory of our country and the varying levels of regional development, the most important thing of managing a university is to fully play the university’s own initiative and make the best use of its power.

"There is a pressing need to build a modern university system and it is necessary to build a system of running schools according to the laws and regulations." Xu Ningsheng stated that this system should be designed to internally regulate the management of the university and externally deal with the relationship with sponsors. The university charter is very important in the system.

Last year, the Ministry of Education approved six universities to formulate the university charter. Xu Ningsheng revealed that Sun Yat-sen University will also accomplish the task this year. “The Charter of Sun Yat-sen University has been revised for several times and is asking for approval by the Ministry of Education. It will definitely be issued this year.” The Charter of Sun Yat-sen University will mainly regulate the internal management, especially further improve the president responsibility system under the leadership of the Party Committee, give full play to the leading role of professors in academic affairs, deal with the relationship between the university and its secondary units, conduct cooperation in running schools, and etc.