Source: People’s Daily Online 2013-01-30
Written by: Xiu Jing
Translated by: Zhang Saijia

Huang Daren, Former President of Sun Yat-sen University, has visited more than 20 vocational colleges in the country after his retirement. He finds that some vocational colleges lay emphasis on developing the students’ strengths. This is a good practice because it “enables the students to become better at what they are already good at, and the students with special skills can also serve the society well.” Huang Daren thinks that such educational approach actually poses a question for higher education: can higher education offer more modules for students to choose from so that they can graduate from one module or another. There are relatively apparent differences between the modules, and the students can find their own suitable way to graduate by choosing the module where they can develop their strengths. “Education does not follow the cask theory as industry does. The students can settle down and serve the society well as long as they stand out with their strengths. This is what I have understood from my visits to the vocational colleges. I think it is feasible and deserves reflection and attention from all educators.”