More than 300 students at Fudan University 's Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts yesterday began their study at the new campus in suburban Songjiang University Town.

Jointly sponsored by Fudan and several local media and business groups, the institute includes five subordinate colleges - communication design, media and films, spatial and industrial design, fashion design as well as a school of fine art.

Undergraduates will take a one-year course in basic public arts study, such as painting and design. A "professor-studio" system, in which students follow their mentors to work on cases or design projects, will be the major teaching method.

The institute has invited more than 20 renowned designers and artists to deliver regular lectures. For instance, John McKenzie, founding governor of the London Institute, is the local institute's vice president and will deliver lectures at least four times a year.

"Establishment of the institute, which can train large numbers of high-quality arts professionals, is an important step in the city's development toward a modern service center," said Gong Xueping, director of the Shanghai People's Congress and the institute's honorary president. The institute expects an enrollment of 3,000.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai American School has opened a new high school building at its Pudong campus.

It can accommodate 90 students; only grades 9 and 10 are offered now. Next year it will provide grade 11, a full high school program, including grade 12 in the 2007 to 2008 academic year.

(Shanghai Daily September 22, 2005)