Colleges enforcing academic standards with rigor

More universities in China are raising academic requirements, with poor students facing delays in graduation or downgrading of degrees.

Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, Hubei province, downgraded 18 students from a bachelor's degree to an associate degree because they fell short of the school's academic standards.

According to a regulation issued by the university last year, undergraduate students who don't meet the requirements are given a warning. After two warnings, they are transferred to an associate-level school.