Higher or tertiary education in China includes
regular universities, adult universities, university colleges, advanced
vocational institutions as well as other alternative forms of higher education
institutions.
1.Higher education institutions
According to the 2002 education report published by the Ministry of Education,
by 2002, there were 16 million students at higher education institutions and the
gross enrolment rate was 15%.
In the year, 5,428,200 senior secondary school graduates were enrolled into
regular universities and advanced vocational colleges. This included 3,205,000
students enrolled into regular higher education institutions and 2,223,200 were
enrolled by adult higher education institutions, which was 522,200 and 263,900,
respectively, more than in the previous year. The number of students at regular
and adult higher education institutions and advanced vocational schools reached
14,625,200, with 9,033,600 at regular universities, 5,591,600 at adult higher
education institutions.
In addition, universities and research institutions enrolled 202,600
postgraduates, 37,400 more than in the previous year. The total number of
postgraduates at school reached 501,000, 107,800 more than in the previous year.
There were 2003 higher education institutions, including 1,396 regular higher
education institutions, 171 more than in the previous year. These include 629
regular universities and 607 adjust universities. The number of universities
empowered to train postgraduates reached 728.
Besides, there were more than 1,000 private colleges and universities, among
which 20 of them were qualified and authorized to issue diplomas.
China has also developed a self-taught examination system of higher education.
Citizens can voluntarily apply to take examinations held by the Government.
Diplomas of higher education are conferred to those who pass all the required
examinations.
2.Universities and university colleges
Colleges and universities in China are administered through a unified control
by the Central Government and management at two levels : the Central Government
and the provincial governments. The State Council and the Ministry of Education
are responsible for taking policy decisions, development plans, reforms and
providing guidance to higher education institutions. The Ministry of Education
also directly controls 34 regular colleges and universities. Provincial
governments’ main responsibility is to manage admission, specialities,
fund-raising and employment of graduates of colleges and universities in
accordance with national policies and laws.
All the higher education institutions have introduced the management system of
the president assuming the sole responsibility. The president of a college or
university is appointed by the government and his responsibility is to organize
teaching, scientific research and social services, coordinating and developing
external relationships.
The Council of a college or university, headed by the president, mainly
composed of vice-presidents, deans, heads of departments and faculty
representatives. It is responsible for taking policy decision concerning matters
of major important in the operation of the college or university.
The Academic Council, composed of the president, academic vice-president and
faculty representatives, is set to deal with examination and approval of
research projects and post-graduate education programs, as well as examination
and promotion of professorships and associate professorships.
The Conference of the Staff Representatives, composed of faculty
representatives is held regularly to examine and comment on the report by the
president, and to make recommendations on important issues regarding teaching,
research, and staff affairs.
The Degree Committee is composed of major academic officials and professor
representatives. It is to approve application of bachelor’s, master’s and
doctor’s degrees, to make decisions on admission examinations for candidates of
master’s and doctor’s degrees, and to manage other issues related to degree
conferring.
