Argument

Although I am slightly skeptical to begin with, there are good reasons to do away with grades.

To put it simply, any institute should, after all, be stringent with the quality of its graduate. No degree, be it PhD or MB, should be conferred lightly. If a student pass, he should have achieved a certain standard and is good enough for any relevant purpose. Giving grades to them would inadvertently create a group of inferior degree holders who seem to have got through by the skin of their teeth - but that's not what an institute should do. A student either passes because he is good enough, or he fails.

Of course there is another side of the coin. In that very meeting, KL, our dean, summarises the other side of the argument by one question: How could we honor the high-fliers?

There are actually two layers of consideration for this question. First, we have a need to praise and award the outstanding few, so as to encourage them to pursue their work and excel in their profession.

But, it is not only for the good of that very few brilliant students who need commendation. For many others, having a reasonable grade (say, B+) would be valuable for their job application.

Where should I stand?