The biggest TV station in China, China Central Television (CCTV), is to screen the series "World Famous Universities" to China's TV viewers, the world's biggest potential market in education.

The 100-episode television series provides in-depth information about the world's top universities and is currently showing.

Since 2001, 30 universities in 16 countries, including Harvard and Oxford universities, have been filmed for the TV documentary series, said Pan Chao, the spokesman of CCTV.

Statistics from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) show that China has the greatest number of overseas students in the world. At the end of 2000, the number of students studying abroad exceeded 1.6 million, with 380,000 of these from China who are studying in 103 countries.

"As the only nation-wide TV station, CCTV 's shooting of the TV series shows the Chinese government's deep concern about China's higher education in a globalized world." said Wang Danyan, a senior official of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

The series has aroused great interest from viewers. Additional information about the universities filmed has been requested through the hotline and CCTV's website, said Wang.

Recently more and more Chinese students have been going abroad to pursue further study. China's entry into the World Trade Organization promoted an upsurge in overseas studies.

The series will offer wide-ranging information about these universities, including their history, educational theories and research groups, said Pan Chao, director of the youth department of the CCTV juvenile center.

"Lack of information about foreign universities is the main problem facing Chinese students," said Xu Xiaoping, vice-president of the New Oriental School, China's biggest training school for students who expect to study abroad.

"This series could go some way to solving the problem," Xu said. "It will be a valuable reference for students."

China Planning Documentary Series on Chinese Students in North America

With the upsurge in overseas study, China Central Television (CCTV) also plans to shoot the country's first TV documentary series focusing on overseas students in North America, titled "Life of Chinese Students Abroad."

Celebrities who have studied overseas, like violinist Lu Siqing and the president of the Microsoft institute in Asia, Zhang Yaqin, are expected to appear in the series, said Pan Chao, director of the youth department of the CCTV juvenile center.

The 300-minute TV series is a joint project between CCTV and Canada China News, according to Pan.

"I'm glad to be part of the series, because it will honestly reflect the life of Chinese overseas students and remind me of my time of overseas study," said Lu Siqing.

Lu said he believes that people who have completed their overseas studies, are currently studying overseas or are hoping to go abroad to study, will be interested in the series.

"The documentary will be especially helpful to the third group as it will help them to see what their future life abroad will be like." said Lu.

Statistics show that China has sent 380,000 students to about 103 countries throughout the world to study since 1978.

CCTV is collecting material for the series on its website (www.cctv.com).

"Life of Chinese Students Abroad" is expected to be shown on CCTV channel one in May 2003, added Pan.

CCTV, China's largest TV station, has 700 million viewers, making up the world's largest TV audience.

(Edited from Xinhua News Agency, July 20, 2002)