Ten undergraduates from a Chinese mainland-based university flew to Taiwan Tuesday as exchange students to the island province.

The students, majoring in civil construction, electronics, information technology and microelectronics at Shandong Universityin east China's Shandong Province, will spend the coming semester at Cheng Kung University in southern Taiwan.

They are the first group of exchange students from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan, said Zhan Tao, president of Shandong University.

The exchange program with Taiwan will help the students learn about Taiwan's culture and society, enhance understanding and communication between young people from the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland, he said.

Shandong University struck deal with Cheng Kung University last year to carry out student exchange programs. The project will continue in the next school year.

In an effort to enrich the students' experience and broaden their knowledge, Shandong University has established cooperation with 16 domestic universities, where 2,141 students have studied under various exchange programs.

The university has also sent 414 exchange students to 24 overseas universities in 11 countries and regions.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2006)