(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-01-07 07:06

A stricter evaluation standard in the selection of academicians is a response by the highest scientific authority to the social outcry for reform, says an article in People's Daily. The following is an excerpt:

The selection process of academicians has been tightened and their numbers reduced. Twenty-nine were selected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 33 to the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

The shrinking of numbers is due to a stricter evaluation standard. The selection of new academicians to the Academy of Sciences was the strictest since 1991: a new academician had to win two thirds of the votes instead of the initial half; the public appraisal section was for the first time enlarged; and the period for receiving complaints lengthened to two months from the previous one.

This undoubtedly comes as a result of the two academies' response to the social outcry for reform to the evaluation system. In recent years, some academicians were widely criticized by the public for their behavior, and for attracting inappropriate interests from various entities.

The selection this time has shut the gate to substandard academicians. It shows the determination of the authorities to crack down on corruption in the academic field.

Of course, the newly elected academicians will face various temptations in the future. He or she must show the highest of morals and promote the spirit of science.

One thing that needs to be addressed is the "integrity crisis of academicians" in recent years. If we cannot eradicate the soil where academic corruption breeds, it will continue.

(China Daily 01/07/2008 page4)