Professor and student differ in morals

SUN JIAZHOU, a professor at Renmin University of China, recently used his WeChat account to say he will not continue the tutor-student relationship with a newly enrolled student after the latter ridiculed professors from other universities. This has sparked a public debate. Comments:

Sun has the right to pull out as adviser, but he still needs the approval of the university authorities, and only after they decide that his reason to withdraw is strong enough from the education point of view can he do so. Under the existing education system, it is not that easy to either prevent advisers from eliminating "unqualified" students or stopping students from applying to seek another adviser in the name of "honoring the teacher and respecting his/her style of teaching". Therefore, a mutual-selection mechanism needs to be introduced to ensure students can exercise the right to choose and advisers can enjoy some autonomy. This will also help build a healthier teacher-student relationship.

Beijing Youth Daily, Sept 22