The Chinese government has passed a new “Degree Law” aimed at strengthening the management of academic misconduct and improving the overall quality of degree awarding. The law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2025, marks the first comprehensive revision of the country’s degree legal system since 1981.
One key aspect of the new law is the emphasis on full-process management of academic misconduct. This includes addressing plagiarism, manual ghostwriting, and other unethical behaviors. The law also specifies circumstances under which degrees will not be awarded or may be revoked, such as obtaining admission through illegal means.
In addition to combating academic misconduct, the “Degree Law” also focuses on protecting students’ rights. It introduces a review process for degree applicants who dispute academic evaluation conclusions or face refusal of degree conferment.
The law also introduces a new approach to postgraduate training, emphasizing classified development and evaluation of academic and professional degrees. This shift reflects the evolving landscape of higher education in China and aims to enhance students’ innovative and practical skills.
Furthermore, the “Degree Law” seeks to strike a balance between university autonomy and government supervision. It expands the autonomy of degree-granting units while establishing independent review systems and supervision mechanisms. This is intended to ensure the quality of degree awarding and maintain the credibility of higher education institutions.
Overall, the “Degree Law” is seen as a significant step towards improving the degree awarding process in China. It addresses key issues such as academic misconduct, students’ rights, and postgraduate training, while also enhancing the quality assurance mechanisms in place. With the law set to take effect in 2025, universities and students will need to adapt to the new regulations and procedures outlined in the legislation.