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Better than degrees

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-09 07:40

What is supposed to be the relation between an academic degree and a government official's work?

Many would assume that higher an academic degree a government official holds, the more knowledgeable he or she should be and the better his or her work would be.

But that is not the case, according to Wang Yang, Party secretary of Guangdong province, who urged local officials to often ask themselves what they can do and have done for the people rather than how much they have benefited from their positions.

At a conference of provincial discipline inspection commission late last month, he pointed out the phenomenon that academic degrees many government officials hold were much higher than their predecessors', but their capability for handling practical problems is becoming weaker.

Yes, quite large number of government leaders have master's or even doctorate degrees, which are often printed on their name cards.

It should be good for both these officials and their work if they really have made painstaking efforts in obtaining these degrees, which would have indeed increased their knowledge in a particular field and sharpened their capability for handling their work in general.

But if such degrees are just part of the fame and economic gains they believe their positions entitle them to obtain, there is enough reason to question how the academic degrees will help with their work.

In other words, if thirst for knowledge is behind the efforts to get a degree, the degree a person gets should indicate what he or she has learned. But if the purpose of getting an academic degree is something else, say, the glamour of an impressive academic background, vanity is what it is all about.

As a matter of fact, whether a government official can do a good job in his or her position, in many cases, has nothing to do with a higher or lower academic degree.

Just like Wang said, what matters is whether you know exactly who you are and for whom you work.

If an official is carried away by the power of his or her position and works for fame and money, the academic degrees he or she holds will make no difference. Chances are that this attitude will lead to the official becoming corrupt.

All that matters for efficient officials is to know that their power derives from the trust of the people they govern. And all that matters for the people is how well the officials do their jobs and not what degrees they have.

Efficient officials are willing to listen to the people about their concerns and try their best to find the best solutions to their problems.

The simple truth is this: what is really needed in a public position is not a higher academic degree but the unwavering conviction to serve the public and a dedication to put this conviction into practice.

(China Daily 02/09/2009 page4)