Is there something wrong with higher education?
That is the question currently being asked by dozens of college educators in online discussions.
The group said they have seen an increasing number of students and graduates who do not seem to know how to make a living or how to manage their finances.
They were also thought to be inept at managing relationships, thinking independently and dealing with competition and frustration.
The educators felt the current education framework failed in areas including financial management, career development, competition and innovation.
The Beijing committee of the Democratic Constitutional Rally recently released a report saying the number of college graduates in the capital who chose to remain unemployed and rely on their parents instead was rising.
The report added that a number of college graduates, mostly from one-child families, lacked a can-do spirit and were always waiting for things to happen.
A number of employers have also complained that the education system does not train students adequately to fulfill the demands of the workplace and that fresh graduates lacked innovation and teamwork.
"I have never been taught how to manage my finances, I have no financial plans and always max out my monthly salary.
"My life is a mess. I've learned a few bitter lessons and am beginning to balance my bankbook.
"I do not want to think about the first two years after my graduation. Life was full of failures."
Liu Yu, a netizen
"Because of the lack of innovation in education, many college students and graduates lack the ability to think independently and critically.
"They have no courage or ability to make breakthroughs at work.
"They are truly at a loss and are depressed, wondering how to plan their own lives, how to cherish happiness and deal with difficulties."
Sun Ting, a lecturer at Tianjin Normal University
"The American style of education is open and diverse. We teach students to think critically and independently.
"Engaging in teamwork is also important. To inspire others, you need to put your ideas forward for criticism, and in turn provide criticism.
"Our university has formed ties with Chinese universities, including Tsinghua, to boost educational exchanges."
Robert Zimmer, president of the University of Chicago
"The gross enrolment rate of Chinese universities is only 20 percent, even after years of expanding intake.
"This is very low compared with many developed countries and lower than even some emerging countries in Asia.
"Large education gaps still remain. We can't stop the development of higher learning, but last year, of the country's 5 million graduates, 1 million had not found a job by the end of that year.
"How we solve the problem of employment for college graduates is an important question."
Li Peilin, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Source: China Daily
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