Education

To the top of the class

By Wang Wei (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-29 09:53

As many soon-to-be college graduates brace for a long struggle to get employment in China's competitive job market, Han Chenchen already has a position waiting for her. The 21-year-old, who is in the fourth year of her undergraduate course, recently signed a job contract with a company offering a monthly salary of 3,500 yuan. But Han, a native from Bengbu city, Anhui province, isn't a student from a prestigious university. She enrolled in a "tailor-made major" program at a private college - Beijing Renwen University (BRU). It's the first of its kind in Beijing.

In fact, she thinks failing the college entrance exam, which led her to BRU, was a blessing in disguise.

"It has been good for me to attend BRU's program," said Han, who majors in animation design. "It now spares me from all the troubles of looking for a job in a pretty bleak employment environment."

In the "tailor-made major" program, BRU makes deals with companies to develop majors and curriculums in accordance with their requirements. In return, these companies will recruit all graduates in the majors as long as they pass all the courses, according to Zhou Yuzhen, director of BRU's academic affairs division.

One month after students enter the private tertiary institution, partner companies will sign initial employment agreements with students that once they pass all the courses, the company will take them as interns for six months. If students perform well throughout the internship, they will become formal employees, according to Zhou.

She said teachers of the school teach basic courses, such as mathematics and English, while professionals from private companies teach specialized courses.

"We put significant effort into developing students' practical skills and the ability to get hands-on assignments as quickly as possible once they are employed," Zhou said. "In contrast, public universities tend to focus more on comprehensive and fundamental knowledge."

"Our majors are very flexible. When a company needs specialists in a new area, we will immediately establish new majors accordingly and get rid of majors that are outdated," she added.

Han started her internship one month ago, but she said she already feels "comfortable" doing small projects on her own because she has done a dozen similar projects under the guidance of professionals from the company while at school.

In Han's class, 40 out of 50 students have secured jobs.

"Some even have internships at Lenovo Group. And they are very happy," said Han.

Students attend computer science class at Beijing Renwen University. [Photos by Wang Jing / China Daily]