Aiming to recreate itself as one of the world's top education centers, Xi'an University of Communications is filling top spots through open competition.

Eight new vice-presidents were appointed yesterday, the cream of a crop of 124 candidates. One-third of the candidates were from overseas, said university President Zheng Nanning.

Located in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the 108-year-old university plans to introduce talented personnel from different parts of the world to meet its ambitious goal, Zheng said.

The university made the decision to hire through open competition before April of this year, when the term of office for top officers appointed in 2000 ended.

Its decision to select eight new vice-presidents was publicized through the campus network as well as in leading national newspapers.

"When I saw the university's decision, I was very excited, so were others like me. Witnessing the rapid development of education in the motherland, we want to use what we have learned abroad to help the modernization drive," said Lu Tianjian, one of the eight newly selected vice-presidents.

Lu, 40, was a tenured professor at Cambridge University in England.

"China has 400,000 students and scholars overseas. They love their country and want to contribute to its prosperity. I want to set a example for them with my experience in the motherland," he said.

According to Zheng, the selection process for the eight vice-presidents lasted three months.

The university first appraised the qualifications of the candidates. Second, each of the candidates gave a lecture, focusing on what they would do if selected.

Third, the university rated the candidates through a public opinion poll.

Finally, the university reviewed the candidates.

(China Daily July 13, 2004)