BEIJING -- The top legislature on Sunday adopted an amendment to the nation's Higher Education Law on academic misconduct.

The amendment was adopted at the week-long bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which opened on Monday.

The amendment enables academic committees in institutions of higher learning to investigate and handle academic disputes and requires them to identify cases of academic misconduct.

It requires authorities to organize panels or entrust third party organs to evaluate institutions of higher learning.

The amendment also stipulates that one of the tasks for institutions of higher learning is to nurture specialized students who have a sense of social responsibility in addition to creativity and practical ability.