The Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) Friday called on local administrations and universities to offer comprehensive job-hunting services to graduates, given the special circumstances created by the fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Recruitment fairs have been suspended in most Chinese provinces and regions due to the SARS epidemic, and some graduates have been unable to undergo interviews, medical examinations or contracts with their employers.
The MOE is, thus, requiring universities to help students finish their academic course work and doctoral thesis evaluation, arrange for the return of students to campus and resolve problems for students who are temporarily unable to return to school.
MOE said that universities should collect job information through different channels and carry out recruitment activities inline with SARS prevention requirements. Employment agencies should also offer consulting services to students.
Local administrations are urged to make full use of the Internet and other media sources to release job information and to organize on-line recruitment. Training programs should be offered to those facing difficulties locating employment.
Statistics show China has a total of 2.12 million university graduates this year, 670,000 more than last year.
According to the MOE, an official website offering guidance to graduates will be launched in the next few days.
(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2003)
