Schools jointly operated by Chinese and overseas institutions are no longer allowed to issue foreign academic degrees without authorization from the State, the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council announced On January 9.

To date, China has 30 such higher learning institutions.

However, these schools, all approved by the committee, are qualified to confer foreign and Hong Kong-based academic degrees, the committee said in a circular it released On January 9. The 30 schools have successfully trained specialized talents and introduced advanced textbooks and pedagogy, the circular stated.

But some domestic work units with yuan signs in their eyes have opened schools which merely offer a certificate, not an actual degree, or they offer classes with foreign organizations which lack official approval.

"These schools and classes have tarnished the image and administration of the country's higher education," said the committee's spokesperson.

Domestic educational institutions are required to obtain approval for degree conferment before they sponsor schools with their foreign counterparts, the circular stated.

According to the circular, nearly 30 classes are operating without the committee's authorization.

They include a management and business administration class offered by Beijing University's Yangong Science and Education Service Center and Ivy University of the United States.