[drucken]

I have a feeling that this was more common in the past.

Except, 1993 is not that long ago and University of Durham is one of the best universities in the UK, especially in his chosen subject. There is no way he could have got into that university on a PhD programme without passing rigorous academic tests.

Oh, and he did it all with English to a high level.

So, indeed, that is quite (art of British understatement) impressive!

[lifeisstillgood]

I think it is worth noting he would have been born in the decade after the Cultural Revolution - so he grew up most likely in abject poverty - and into a society recovering from hideous losses. That is one reason why the work would have been undertaken outside of China. (It's probably no exaggeration to say the exceptionally large numbers of Chinese foreign students from 70s onwards in western universities contributed to Chinas recovery.)

Anyway, impressive personally, impressive for the social and family support needed and impressive as part of a society recovering.

Plus research into develoent of agriculture outside of Mesopotamia - cool stuff!

[arethuza]

"passing rigorous academic tests"

I don't know what this chap did but I would think the "easiest" way to prove that you are up to the level to start a PhD programme (which in the UK at that time were pure research - no class component) would be to have a few publications.