Ji Baocheng: Universities Shouldn't Get Side Tracked

Ji Baocheng, President of Renmin University of China.     Dong Ning

Many universities have established their own commercial enterprises, something that Ji Baocheng, president of Renmin University of China, describes as "messing around," and "deviating from the spirit of universities." There is no question that the basic goal of higher education is nurturing talent, he says. But some are keen to create commercial companies and many professors spend their time on research projects rather than teaching. "It is ridiculous that the Ministry of Education has to issue special documents to stipulate that professors must teach," sighs President Ji.