This site recently published an article titled "KS5U College Entrance Examination Resources Network Reports: University Admissions Likely to Shift from Solely Exam Scores to Autonomous Admissions". This article originated from a proposal by 11 professors within Peking University to the president, suggesting that the college entrance examination admission system should transition from being solely score-based to a combination of exam scores and expert interviews. The president of Peking University responded accordingly, noting that decisions made by Peking University could have far-reaching effects and must be handled with extreme caution.
The crux of the discussion revolves around increasing the importance of student applications and multidisciplinary expert team interviews. This reform has become a topic of national conversation. Every move in this reform affects the entire system, and even professors are human beings who need to change the sole reliance on college entrance exam scores for admissions. Emphasizing the complexity of recruitment test system reforms is crucial for enhancing the quality of talent. Combining Peking University's educational characteristics and talent cultivation goals, it is necessary to steadily and cautiously advance various reform measures. Eleven professors at Peking University jointly submitted a proposal to President Zhou Qifeng. President Zhou formally responded, emphasizing the need to investigate students' motivation, usual performance, innovation ability, and overall quality. Decisions on student admissions should be based on these comprehensive factors. However, why does this method face widespread skepticism in China? I believe the key lies in two major deficiencies in our current system: a lack of integrity and institutional flaws.
A fundamental issue is the lack of basic trust among people. Even though there is experience in autonomous admissions, universities, which should be academic sanctuaries dedicated to the pursuit of truth, have long been criticized. How can people trust that professors will uphold justice in matters concerning an individual's life? Even if they want to uphold justice, their surroundings may influence them negatively. Doubts persist because such a conventional practice in global universities faces challenges in China due to the absence of systematic research and planning in our college entrance examination system.
From a national perspective, Peking University's examination system reform is not merely its own affair but a matter of national concern. Without authorization from the state, no university can arbitrarily admit students. Although we currently lack systematic plans for the college entrance examination system, we aim to establish world-class universities. Any small change in this system raises doubts among the public. Therefore, Peking University's principal cannot decide whom to admit or reject solely based on high school learning environments and college entrance exam results. Interviews involve hundreds of professors, making it not a trivial issue. We aspire to better systems that will undoubtedly drive reforms in China's college entrance examination system.
We can implement high school principal recommendations, but the implementation of such methods poses risks greater than benefits if applied universally. Public power is one of the least trusted forms of authority. How can relationships possibly manage hundreds of people effectively? It's like trying to hit a moving target. Another critical factor limiting the progress of this reform is the lack of institutional support.
When these deficiencies exist, it's challenging to trust that professors will fairly use their interview rights. Perhaps, but if all admissions adopt this method, it's not a minor issue. Over time, taking 200 bids for autonomous admissions won't resolve everything. Chinese people excel at networking, yet fundamental trust between individuals is lacking.
In conclusion, any changes in the higher education system, especially university admission reforms, significantly impact the entire educational framework. People find it hard to believe that professors would act justly when vested with interview rights. Even if they wanted to, they might succumb to various forms of lobbying and gift-giving. Peking University’s diploma remains one of the highest-valued credentials in contemporary Chinese universities. The university's admissions office also responded to the letter, affirming that such reforms require thorough research and adequate surveys.
KS5U College Entrance Examination Resources Network will continue to monitor developments in the reform of the college entrance examination admission system and report new trends to readers.