Premier Li Keqiang urged granting higher autonomy to Chinese universities and raising subsidies to postgraduate students, during a symposium on Jan 16.

He emphasized that authorities should grant more power to local universities, especially those located in regions with rich education resources.

The issue of too many restrictions on local universities was brought up by Huang Wei, head of Nanjing Tech University, during the symposium, which was held to hear public voices about the annual government work report.

Representatives from several sectors — including education, scientific research, culture and sports — attended the symposium.

It was not the first time the Premier mentioned the issue. At a ceremony to honor distinguished scientists on Jan 9, he said administration on science and education should be streamlined and that more autonomy should be given to universities and scientific institutions, in order to unleash their potential.

At the symposium, the Premier also decided to raise subsidies to postgraduate students. “The current subsidy standard was set nine years ago. It is now too low,” he said.

Shi Yigong, deputy head of Tsinghua University, speaks at a symposium on Jan 16 about the government work report draft for 2017.[Photo/China Daily]

The suggestion was made by Shi Yigong, deputy head of Tsinghua University. He said China should give more benefits to researchers in order to attract more competitive brain power.

“Talent is the most expensive resource in the 21st century,” he said.