On August 2 1 2007, Harvard University announced that its donation funds had reached $34.9 billion. This figure is higher than the annual GDP of many small and medium-sized countries in the world, and Harvard University can be called "as rich as an enemy". Harvard University received a donation of up to $34.9 billion, which has to remind people of our universities. On August 4th, 2007, the National Development and Reform Commission revealed: According to the statistics of the People's Bank of China, by the end of 2005, the amount of college loans in China had reached 200 1 100 million yuan. In a report released in early July last year, the China People's Political Consultative Conference also indicated that the total debt of colleges and universities nationwide reached 250 billion yuan, and there is a tendency to expand. The same colleges and universities, one rich and the other heavily in debt, have to make people think deeply.

Why can Harvard University get so many donations?

In the United States, the amount of donations not only reflects the social recognition of a university, but also reflects the social achievements of its graduates and indirectly reflects the level of university education. The more funds a university receives, the better teachers it employs, the more scholarships it can attract, and the more outstanding students it can attract, thus forming a virtuous circle. American News and World Report published the most authoritative university rankings in the United States, and even regarded the amount of alumni's donations to universities as one of the main basis of university rankings.

Therefore, American university presidents regard striving for social donations as one of their main responsibilities. If the donation is too small, the president of the university may even be forced to resign. During Summers' five years as president of Harvard University, due to disrespectful remarks about women, alienation from black professors and conflicts with school teachers, many graduates were dissatisfied, which led to a gradual decline in the donation ratio of Harvard University graduates from 48% to 40%. In 2006, Summers had to resign as president of Harvard University.

If American universities want to get social donations, they must be recognized by the society, which helps universities to focus on the concept of running schools and the quality of teaching. However, some universities in China are not concerned with the teaching concept, how many talents have been trained, but how to build a "beautiful campus". No matter how much money you owe, you must make the university luxurious enough. A school gate costs millions everywhere, and university leaders are willing to run in debt in pursuit of "political achievements".

If such a university is in America, I'm afraid it won't last a day. Who is willing to donate to such a university? In China, it's different. Once there is a shortage of funds, university presidents can pay close attention to the government and banks. Even if you don't get a penny from the society, you can still "live" brightly. How can such a university develop?

Harvard University receives an annual endowment of $34.9 billion, but most universities in China are heavily in debt. The great gap between Chinese and American universities is not only a financial problem of universities, but also a phenomenon worthy of consideration and study by universities and relevant departments.

(Little Zhu Xiao recommended it from Mochow)

■ Editor: Zhou