Zhejiang University announced Sunday the immediate firing of an associate professor involved in a pharmacology thesis fraud which was uncovered last October.

Yang Wei, president of the university, said that He Haibo, a former associate professor of the university's College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, was found to have used former doctoral supervisor's research results to write eight of his theses, and involved in other improper practice such as sending his theses to different journals for publication and fabricating experts who helped improve his theses.

In November, He was dismissed by Zhejiang University as associate professor.

The university also announced Sunday the dismissal of Wu Limao, director of the pharmacology lab, whose name appeared on the byline of those theses.

The incident evoked high public concern because the fraudulent theses were sent to international academic journals, such as the Phytotherapy Research in the United Kingdom.

The scandal also involved Li Lianda, one of China's top experts on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Li, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and dean of the university's College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, also had his name listed as a co-author on He's papers. Both Li and the university insisted Li did not know that his name appeared on the byline. He went unpunished until the public insisted he be held partly responsible as it was his duty to supervise students.

On Sunday, the university said it would not extend its contract with Li when his current term as the dean expires at the end of 2009.

"Li has not completed his resignation procedures," the university told Xinhua Monday, refusing to give further details.

Li's secretary issued a statement to Xinhua which said Li agrees with the university about all the punishments.

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2009)