The graduate school held two seminars on PhD candidate midterm appraisal on Oct. 20 and Oct. 24. This is in part to gain a full understanding of the implementation process of the midterm appraisal for doctoral students and PhD candidates’ opinion and suggestion on the midterm appraisal. Executive dean Tao Tao and other officials such as Xue Cheng Long and Xu Lan attended the seminar. The Seminar is hosted by Tao Tao. 

First, Tao Tao thanked the graduate students for attending the seminar, then he pointed out that the midterm appraisal and the categorizing is an important part in assessing doctoral students’ research competence and potential, an insurance to improve educational quality, an effective way to increase the competitiveness of XMU doctoral students. He also said although the implementation of the midterm appraisal went well, it still needs to be improved. In order to achieve our goals to make the midterm appraisal a scientific one, we invite reasonable advice from students, especially advice generated from their own experience in the midterm appraisal.

        The seminar was hosted in a relaxed atmosphere. All the PhD candidates in the seminar engaged in lively dialogues and expressed their opinions about the midterm exam. Students all agree that it is quite necessary to carry out the midterm appraisal. They said because of the stress the upcoming exam created, they have strong motivation to spend more time on study and never dare to slacken the pace. Ma Shiwei, from Taiwan Study Institute said because of the strict rules and random choice of topics in the exam, they are motivated to read extensively, therefore their academic ability can be improved and their knowledge consolidated. Zhang Qinfu, from school of materials, said that in the midterm appraisal, they can receive individualized suggestion on their academic research from the panel. Apart from this, those experts also help them solve the difficulties in their research and guide them finish their study. Jiang Yetao, from the school of energy, said the midterm appraisal is a win-win solution for both the students and the supervisors since it can select students who are really fit for academic research and insure high quality academic output. Cheng Qingdong from Law school, said he hope the midterm exam can include an incentive system to grant reasonable reward to those who excel at it, this way they will be more motivated to study for the exam. Other students also expressed their views and opinions on the midterm appraisal. In addition, students in the seminar all agreed that the time and specific demand and grading standard of the midterm exam should be specified. And since the different condition existed in different schools and even different majors and areas, students hope the midterm appraisal and categorizing system could be adjusted flexibly according to specific conditions. 

        Tao Tao expressed his appreciation for the support of the students for the midterm appraisal. He said that carrying out midterm appraisal is a common practice in international first-class universities and has gained consensus on its importance and effectiveness. XMU midterm appraisal do mot aim at sifting students but at urging and warning students to strengthen their research quality, improving the educational quality for PhD candidate, and match international educational standards. The graduate school will take these suggestions seriously and improve the midterm appraisal system.