File photo of Deng Yaping, former Olympic champion table tennis player. [Photo/IC]

China University of Political Science and Law has sparked a heated debate by appointing former ping-pong champion Deng Yaping as a part-time professor. Xu Heng, a student of the university issued an open letter on Dec 6 challenging the decision, after which the university clarified its stance. Following are the excerpts from the letter and the university's statement together with China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang's comment:

The student's letter

I have checked the university's official website and there is no policy on how a part-time professor should be hired. The common practice among universities includes forming an academic committee and reaching a decision through a vote; the university should make public the appointment procedure (of Deng Yaping).

Generally, part-time professors in universities carry the label of professors and enjoy wide recognition in academic circles. But Deng fails to meet these standards. Part-time professors are responsible for conducting research, teaching their subjects, delivering academic lectures, and guiding younger scholars and students. The university should explain the job description of Deng.

According to the law and regulations, universities have the right to appoint their faculties. But the law also sets basic and overall standards for candidates who can be appointed as professors. As an academic institution, a university should be responsible for any decision it makes. If a university appoints an unqualified professor, it will waste precious academic resources and ruin the academic atmosphere.

Xu Heng, a student with CUPSL, Dec 6