Nearly 100,000 soldiers in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have received non-degree education, the army has said.

The campaign was launched by the PLA Headquarters of the General Staff in 2003 to give soldiers practical training, a PLA official said on Wednesday.

Soldiers in the programs take three- to six-month courses in computers, English, psychology and management. Instead of a diploma, the soldiers receive national skills certificates.

The campaign emphasizes special and practical skills and trainees do not necessarily have much prior education, according the headquarters.

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2008)