Zhang Xiao and his five schoolmates, all graduates of the prestigious Nanjing University of east China's Jiangsu Province, have just fulfilled a four-month voluntary teaching stint in Ili Radio and Television University (IRTU) of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

When evaluating their teaching life in the west, Zhang said: "We felt quite happy here as the volunteer campaign has enriched our practical experience."

Though a bit disappointed at the education environment of this remote inland university, which is no larger than a common middle school of comparatively developed coastal regions, they were still proud of winning the volunteer opportunities to teach in west China when they first came to Ili in March.

"We won through stiff competition as there were too many students in my university registering for the volunteer teaching plan," Zhang said.

Jiangsu's educational department started cooperation with IRTU from the second half of 2000.

"The cooperation has brought us countless benefits, especially the advanced educational theories currently prevailing in the country's eastern regions," said the secretary of IRTU Party committee surnamed Ding.

So far, 36 graduates of Nanjing University have performed voluntary teaching in Ili in six teams.

According to Wang Yajun, a teacher with the university's graduate school, Nanjing University has covered most of the expenses involved in the voluntary teaching plan, including the traveling fees.

"The university has devoted great energies and materials in this campaign, which not only assists the implementation of the central government's strategy of developing the vast western areas, but also provide students with precious opportunities for social interaction," Wang said.

Meanwhile, students, who were mainly confined to the campus, also thirst for a period of colorful "adventures" that can enrich their experience, as proved by the surging number of the applicants, Wang said.

Students participating in the volunteer teaching campaign have no need to worry about their own studies, as special schedules have been arranged for them to make up the missed lessons after they return and sufficient allowances are also given out to pay living expenses in the western areas.

The State Council was planning to dispatch more college volunteers from Beijing and Shanghai municipalities as well as Shandong and Jiangsu provinces to teach in Xinjiang, said an official with the Ministry of Education.

In addition to Xinjiang, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has also benefited from the country's voluntary teaching plan with over 10,000 volunteer teachers working for local educational development in the past five decades.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2003)