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Review: Yuanpei Pilot Program
PKU NEWS 2005--12-15-
http://ennews.pku.edu.cn/news.php?s=134721945
Peking University, Beijing, Dec. 15th, 2005: Since 2001, Yuanpei Pilot Program, an
important part of PKU education reform, has recruited five generations. The effect
was seen in the first generation of graduates, who, to some extent, were creating a
new era with Peking University in China‘s education history.
Beginning
As a response to the call of establishing the first-class university in the world, PKU
decided to carry out a reform in the undergraduate education, which always functions
as the core of PKU. At the 2001 Xiangshan Conference, the formal resolution was
introduced, which marked as a milestone.
Two points stood out in the Xiangshan Resolution: first, Peking University
shouldered the responsibility to produce piloting experts in all manners of fields if she
would like to be a first-class university, and undergraduate education was the basis
of the advanced education and human source for society; second, it was necessary
to establish liberal education in the first two undergraduate years and a broad-view
professional program for two later years, with a course-option system.
Features
―Yuanpei Pilot Program‖ thus came into being, named after the former PKU president
Cai Yuanpei, demonstrating an innovative spirit. The core idea of Yuanpei is to
demolish the division between major, offer various options for the students and lead
them to the right direction, while the students in turn can fully absorb the essence of
this university and not only be successful in their majors but also have an all-rounded
personality.
Under the guidance of this idea, Yuanpei adopted two bold acts: first, divided the
freshmen into two categories – liberal arts and science, instead of specific majors,
and provided them liberal education; second, allowed the students to choose their
courses and majors later on their own, guided by the schedule and tutor. In
correspondence with the above two acts, three measures were set in motion: flexible
study schedule, tutor guidance and new system of class and dormitory management.
Flexible study schedule means the students can manage their study schedule on
their own, on condition that they could finish the credits in three to six years; tutor
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