Postgraduate students at Fudan University's school of management will be banned from taking part-time jobs to earn extra money—but will gain a subsidy of just over 1,000 yuan (US$132) a month from next year.

School officials said yesterday that part-time jobs distract students from their research work, which is why they will introduce the grants to cover basic living expenses.

But they will be able to take internships or part-time jobs related to their academic research in management.

Part-time job takers must first register with school authorities and get permission. Those breaking the rules will lose their grants and lose academic grades, school officials said.

At present, the Ministry of Education gives a monthly allowance of 200 yuan to 300 yuan to each postgraduate student around the country—a drop in the ocean compared to Shanghai's average living expenses of 800 yuan to 1,000 yuan per month.

"We understand students' pressure to make a living, especially in a city with such high costs as Shanghai," said Yin Zhiwen, the school's vice dean who oversees education quality control.

"But taking part-time jobs simply for money tends to distract students from their research work, which is something that they should focus on," he said.

Yin added that the school would also intensify the curriculum for postgraduate students from next year, which is expected to eat into students' free time.

To train more professional researchers, the school will launch a five-year joint Master's-PhD degree program in all its management majors from next fall.

Applicants for a Master's degree are expected to also study for a doctoral degree without taking a PhD admission test.

School officials said that most people apply for a PhD program after working for a few years. That usually takes them away from cutting-edge developments in their own discipline.

"We wish to enroll those who are really interested in scientific research, rather than those pursuing a degree to get a good job," Yin said, adding that PhD graduates are expected to take up jobs as researchers in universities and companies. But students will still have to sit a qualification test in the second year. Those who fail to pass the test will still graduate with a Master's degree, school officials said.

(Shanghai Daily September 19, 2007)