Postgraduate study is in demand across the nation, with long queues heading into postgraduate exams and similarly long queues heading out onto the job market.

About 1.2 million applicants registered for the national entrance exam, which concluded on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Education.

The record-breaking number is 24 percent more than last year, a growth rate that has remained high for five consecutive years.

Over 200,000 postgraduates are also expected to complete their studies this year, and next year may produce as many as 360,000.

Most of them are competing with a large number of bachelor's degree holders in an evermore-competitive job market.

The ministry said that rapid development of the economy in the arenas of science and technology is pushing up demand for high-end professionals, which in turn stimulates expansion of postgraduate enrolment.

Students whose majors involve technology said they find it increasingly necessary to gain additional qualifications to do well in the job market.

Numbers in school can ease employment tension when jobs are scarce, said the ministry.

But as employment pressures rise, complaints and doubts have been voiced about the policy of expanding enrolment for undergraduates and postgraduates.

Chen Wenshan, a master's degree-holder at Beijing Normal University, said she assumed a higher degree would help her get a satisfying job when she sat the postgraduate entrance exam two years ago.

"But it turns out I have the same difficulties," said Chen, whose classmates are all still seeking jobs.

However, Professor Guo Yingde at the same university criticized many postgraduates for choosing a handful of hot industries and big cities with too many expectations about future jobs.

The employment rate for postgraduates in the past two years remains much higher than graduates, he said.

Surveys say undergraduates seem to have more job choices and postgraduates are more competitive in fields such as research and education.

"It is a personal problem if a postgrad cannot find a job," said Guo, citing an example of great demand for teachers in some western areas but few students going there.

He said that, although both graduate and postgraduate enrolments are increasing, the proportion between the two has remained stable.

Moreover, he pointed out, the country still needs to raise its overall proportion of undergraduates and postgraduates, which is low compared to developed countries.

"Top-notch universities should divert their focus to postgraduate education and send more highly skilled people to meet the needs of society," Guo suggested.

He also called on educational authorities to adopt new policies, which "should allow more students in but only the qualified out," to improve the quality of postgrads.

Professor Wang Hongguang at Beijing Agricultural University agreed with Guo and added the current system should shift from focusing on higher education to strengthening the whole nation's education system, including elementary and continuing education.

"The key to solving the employment problem lies in educating people according to the demands of society," he said.

(China Daily January 24, 2005)