Shanghai's education authority has approved four graduates of the Shanghai Blind School to sit this year's national college entrance examination, a first for higher education in China.

The Shanghai Teachers' University is the first college to volunteer to accept blind students should they pass the examination due on July 7-9.

Xiang Jiaxiang, deputy president of the university, said on Monday the blind students were welcome to apply for the foreign languages department.

With modern computer software that translated between Braille and English and blind people's good memories, foreign languages should be an ideal choice for them, he said.

The university was also ready to offer special policies to blind students, he said. For example, they might be exempted from certain courses.

The blind students say they are confident of overcoming any difficulties and completing their college education.

The Shanghai Blind School has offered free translation of college textbooks into Braille, while the Shanghai Disabled Persons' Association has pledged an annual 2,000 yuan (US$240) scholarship for each student, plus relevant software provided free.

"Higher education for blind people is a symbol of civilization. We call on the whole of society to support the job," Xiang said.

(China Daily July 10, 2002)