The State Council recently announced a series of decisions to reduce state organs' role in approving projects and programs in various areas. Included in these changes is the abolition of ranking the progress of various disciplines at different universities. The ranking of "National Key Disciplines" has been a major indicator in evaluating university performance since they were initiated in 1985. Experts say academic rankings should be voluntarily initiated by the academic community rather than by governing bodies.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Today, No. 563, February 24, 2014

Translated by Feng Daimei

Revised by Charles Horne