The Research On Theory And Practice Of Academic Freedom In Chinese Universities

In the history of university development, academic freedom is an eternal proposition. With internationalization of higher education and rapid development of higher education of China, it has a far-reaching influence on the improvement of university academic level and realizing the goal of building the first-class universities all over the world. After analyzing the meaning, the history, the basic character of international academic freedom, and the factors that affect the realization of academic freedom in China, the author finds the academic freedom in China is different from the Western. Universities enjoyed ample academic freedom in Early Middle Ages. However, affected by the scholasticism, the legal status of universities' existence met with challenges. Under the lead of free philosophy thinkers such as Humbolt , Fichte. J. G. and some others, Berlin University which was built in 1810 made academic freedom as the basic principle in running school, teaching freedom, learning freedom, research freedom and independent exploration. Berlin University set an example for modern universities. In this paper, on the one hand, the origination of academic freedom and it's evolution in western and Chinese universities are traced back from historical angle; on the other hand, the concept, factors, the value and the significance of academic freedom are discussed from practical angle. On the basis of analysis on relations between academic freedom and academic autonomy, academic responsibility, university spirits, academic standard, academic self-discipline etc., some measures for the realization of academic freedom in Chinese universities are put forward in accordance with realization of academic freedom.