By delivering lectures in colleges, academics can cultivate talents

More academics should be encouraged to deliver lectures to undergraduate students in colleges across the country, because such lectures can help cultivate talents. China Daily writer Wang Yiqing comments:

Three academics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering recently delivered lectures to undergraduates, especially freshmen, of Zhejiang University, which was welcomed by the students and the public.

Ba Denian, an 81-year-old academic of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, gave the first lecture to more than 400 freshmen at the School of Medicine during their welcome ceremony.

The special lecturer for the College of Energy Engineering was Cen Kefa, an academic of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Despite being 84 years old, Cen insisted that he deliver the lecture in person to narrate his experiences as an academic and share some knowledge about his discipline.

Yang Wei, a 65-year-old academic associated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered three lectures to help the undergraduates better understand the importance of science and technology.

Academics associated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, who have a profound understanding of their disciplines as well as the industrious spirit to explore new frontiers, are the country's leading scientists and intellectuals. Their lectures can not only guide the students in their academic pursuit but also inspire them to excel in their respective fields.

Teaching students is the main job of teachers. But since the promotion criteria for college teachers include excellent work in the academic field, many teachers spend huge amounts of time on research and, in the process, neglect their teaching duty. This could lower the standard of teaching and undermine the cultivation of talents.

That's why the three academics' efforts, which have set a good example for college teachers, should be applauded. And more academics should be encouraged to follow in their footsteps.