Degrees tightened

The issuing of degrees for programmes run jointly by Chinese and overseas institutions is to be greatly tightened under new rules launched by China's Office of Academic Degrees Committee under the State Council.

The new rules aim to foster a more efficient academic climate among authorised institutions and gradually weed out the unauthorised ones, says the committee's vice director Sun Yegang.

No enterprises or institutions will be allowed to sponsor colleges for higher academic degrees with foreign organisations without the office's authorisation.

Overseas institutions with recognised high-quality academic track records are still encouraged to run schools with Chinese counterparts provided they comply with state regulations.