Page 38 - EW Jan 2024_Neat

Expert Comment

Why China's universities

are world-class

SUDHEENDRA KULKARNI

N JUNE LAST YEAR I WAS INVITED BY TSINGHUA The most decisive factor driving the
University, Beijing to give a talk on India-China civili-
sational relations. Together with Peking University, it quality of higher education, basic
Iis one of two top Chinese varsities ranked #16 in the research, and its application in industry,
Times Higher Education’s Top 200 World University Rank-
ings 2023. During this sojourn Schwarzman College set in agriculture and services is the unstinted
Tsinghua’s scenic campus caught my attention. support universities receive from the
I learned that it was established by Stephen Schwarz-
man, founder of Blackstone, one of the world’s largest pri- highest level of Chinese leadership
vate equity firms that manages assets valued at $1 trillion.
The renowned American businessman made a personal gift tronic vehicles manufacturer.
of $100 million to endow the Schwarzman Scholars pro- China could not have achieved this level of technologi-
gramme, inspired by the prestigious Rhodes Scholarships cal excellence without excelling in higher education and
funded by British colonialist Cecil Rhodes. It supports 200 research. Chinese universities and research institutions
students from around the world annually for a one-year have consistently bested the US in publication of scientific
Master’s programme. Known as ‘China’s Harvard’, Tsing- papers most cited in the world’s respected journals. Since
hua also boasts other American connections. Mark Zuck- 2019, China has also been the top filer of international pat-
erberg, Satya Nadella and Elon Musk have been members ents — more than double the number filed by the US.
of the advisory board of its business school, one of the best he most decisive factor driving the quality of higher
worldwide. The incumbent chairman of its board is Apple Teducation, research, and its application in industry,
CEO Tim Cook. agriculture and services is the unstinted support univer-
Like other world-class universities in China, Tsinghua sities receive from the highest level of Chinese leader-
is founded, funded and managed by the central govern- ship. When President Xi Jinping (incidentally, a Tsinghua
ment. Therefore, two questions arose in my mind. First, alumnus) rose to power in 2012, he directed national sci-
why hasn’t a single public university in India received such entific research institutions, high-level research universi-
global recognition? Second, why are captains of American ties, and leading enterprises to work together and make
business so generously giving their time and money to Chi- China “a world power in science and technology”. In a
nese universities, despite the US engaged in a fierce trade future-focused speech to a joint assembly of the Chinese
war with China, having restricted all hi-tech exports to Chi- Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineer-
nese companies? ing on May 28, 2021, he made a strident call for China to
The answer to the first question is simple. Most public achieve global leadership in “deep sea, deep space and deep
universities in India, especially those run by states, are en- earth”. For this, he said, China must become “self-reliant”
gaged in a race to mediocrity. IITs, IIMs and a few Central (atma nirbhar) in critical technologies (AI, semiconductor
universities are exceptions. However, the Indian govern- chips, quantum computing, green energy, etc). But he also
ment has shown no interest in internationalising them by stressed that self-reliance does not mean closing the doors
attracting foreign students and faculty in large numbers, or to learning from others and forging foreign partnerships.
by inviting eminent foreigners to join their advisory boards. Universities cannot attain global excellence unless they
The second question is best answered by Schwarzman have excellent leaders, researchers and teachers. Under-
himself. Explaining why he chose a Chinese university for scoring this fundamental truth, Xi observed: “Academicians
his philanthropic munificence, he said, “Those who will lead are the wealth of the country, the pride of the people, and
the world must understand China today.” Leading Ameri- the glory of the nation. In the selection of academicians, we
can companies know that China is not only a large market shall break decision-making on rank and promotion based
for their products, but also a manufacturer of hi-tech prod- on seniority, eliminate the influence of non-academic fac-
ucts with growing share of world markets. tors, and maintain the purity of the title of Academician.”
Take, for example, DJI, Huawei and BYD, whose head- Prime minister Narendra Modi should read the words —
quarters in Shenzhen I visited. DJI is the world's largest “eliminate the influence of non-academic factors”. But will
drones manufacturer with more than 50 percent of global he? In India, corruption, casteism and political interference
market share. Huawei is the world’s largest provider of play a major role in the appointment of vice chancellors. In
telecommunications equipment, and a tough competitor recent years, a new “non-academic factors” has come into
to Apple and Samsung in smartphones. In 2011, Elon Musk play — affinity to the Sangh Parivar. Sad.
had scoffed at the idea of BYD (which stands for ‘Build Your
Dreams’) ever competing with Tesla. Today, the Chinese (Sudheendra Kulkarni was an aide of former prime minister Atal Bihari
carmaker is driving towards becoming the world’s #1 elec- Vajpayee (1999-2004) and currently founder, Forum for South Asia)

38 EDUCATIONWORLD JANUARY 2024