Doctors' dilemma

How many doctorates does China need in a year? This seemingly irrelevant question is becoming important in view of repeated revelations of academic cheating and the underlying motivation for doctoral degrees.

In a recent survey among more than 3,000 people, mostly university educated, over 70 percent of the respondents agreed that more doctorates do not necessarily mean better education quality. At least 40 percent said that most students choose to study for doctorates simply because it helps towards a better job or promotion.

In China, 310 institutions have the authority to confer doctorates, and the total of those with the degree exceeded 50,000 in 2007. And, the number is on the rise, making China the largest producer of doctoral degree holders in the world.