Chinese University Fires Chief Scientist for ‘Serious Academic Misconduct’
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A chief scientist at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (JUST) has been fired for “serious academic misconduct,” the university announced Tuesday.
The university in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, said in a statement that it had terminated Guo Wei’s employment after an investigation that began in September confirmed the allegations. A police case is now underway, it added.
The announcement confirmed days of social media speculation that Guo, also a professor and doctoral supervisor at the university’s School of Materials Science and Engineering, had been taken away by police for fabricating his credentials. The university has since removed Guo’s profile from its websites.
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- Jiangsu University of Science and Technology fired chief scientist Guo Wei for serious academic misconduct after a September investigation confirmed allegations, leading to a police case.
- Guo allegedly fabricated his credentials, including degrees, publications, and awards, and was hired in 2023 with a lucrative package; several claims were found false by Caixin.
- The incident exposes weaknesses in university vetting procedures, prompting JUST to pledge stricter oversight and accountability.
- 1994：
- Guo Wei claimed to be the top scorer in his province's college entrance exam.
- 2006 to 2023：
- Guo Wei claimed to have worked as a senior researcher at the German National Academy of Sciences.
- 2016：
- Guo Wei claimed to have won a first-prize National Science and Technology Progress Award.
- 2023：
- Guo Wei was hired by Jiangsu University of Science and Technology as a high-level talent.
- April 2025 and May 2025：
- Media reports portrayed Guo Wei as a distinguished scholar.
- September 2025：
- Jiangsu University of Science and Technology began an internal investigation into Guo Wei.
- By November 18, 2025：
- Guo Wei's employment at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology was terminated following confirmation of academic misconduct.
- As of November 18, 2025：
- A police case against Guo Wei is underway and the university removed Guo's profile from its websites.
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