Sixteen elite officers selected from the People's Liberation Army will soon teach at the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT), a school directly under the supervision of China's Central Military Commission.

It is the first time that serving officers from army units at grassroots level were chosen to give courses at the military university, which is aiming to improve its teaching quality regarding joint command and combined operations.

The university organized two selection boards and assessed 76 eligible candidates from the navy, land and air forces. The 16 successful officers came to prominence due to their great practical experience in both military service and training.

Peng Jianlin is a pilot-turned-captain stationed on a training destroyer. He was approved as an outstanding commander four times by the navy.

Fu Guangwen, a returned student, is a first-class pilot in the air force.

Gao Duanjun, also a returned student, is an advanced officer. He is specialized in artillery technology and renovation.

All 16 officers will teach logistics, army construction, information warfare and military science & technology equipment.

They are now receiving on-the-job training at the university.

(China.org.cn by Unisumoon, June 13, 2005)