A grand ceremony is scheduled for May 20 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of three universities in Nanjing - Nanjing University, Southeast University and Nanjing Normal University.

Jiangsu Province, which boasts more than 60 universities and colleges, has witnessed rapid development in higher education since China started opening up and reforms in the late 1970s.

Nanjing University, Southeast University and Nanjing Normal University were all founded in 1902 and have enjoyed international fame.

The one-week celebration, organized by the Jiangsu provincial government, will attract more than 100,000 alumni from home and abroad.

Among them are world-famous scientists and Nobel Prize winners who will take part in seminars, academic meetings and exhibitions.

The event is expected to help publicize the province's educational resources.

(China Daily April 10, 2002)