AN independent watchdog will be established to supervise the use of scientific research funds in China's latest drive to curb academic corruption and fraud, the China Daily said on its Web site Monday (July 10).

The Ministry of Science and Technology, which is responsible for the creation of the new body, said it will supervise the financial integrity and efficiency of State-level science programs.

"The watchdog may hire independent auditing companies to give an objective assessment on the use of money," Shang Yong, vice minister of science and technology, was quoted by the paper as saying.

Along with the new organization, updated regulations for the management of research funds are being drafted, and a third-party evaluation system for research performance will also be introduced.

"All these measures are expected to come into force this year," said Shang.

Meanwhile, a new mechanism to standardize research work is to be introduced and will include two databases.

One will be a broad expert database, from which different combinations of scientists will be selected for consulting panels to examine and appraise national projects.

While the other will take stock of all science projects, to avoid the repetition of research.

The ministry had shown its determination to overhaul the country's controversial research system, following criticism of redundant projects and public resources being wasted.

Earlier this month, Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua told the CPPCC, China's top advisory body, that scientists or research institutes that lose credibility would be warned, and their misdeeds made public.

Xu stressed that scientific fraud and other forms of misconduct have done great harm to the country's scientific progress.

His speech followed a series of high-profile academic scandals.

A professor at Qinghua University was removed from his post in March for faking his academic achievements and resume.

In late April, a professor at Shanghai Tongji University was fired after the veracity of his academic record was questioned.

And in May, a scientist was sacked from Shanghai Jiaotong University for faking the invention of a home-grown digital computer chip in a State-funded project.

Editor: Wing