The State Postal Bureau will issue a commemorative stamp across the country to celebrate Fudan University's 100th anniversary today.

Fudan is only the second university honored with a stamp in China, following Peking University's centenary celebration in 1998.

"Since stamps carry not only economic value but also cultural information about a country, we are very happy to win the honor and hope the small stamp can pass on Fudan's century-old spirit throughout the country," said Fang Jinggang, director of Fudan's centenary anniversary affairs office.

Designed by a young artist in Beijing, the commemorative stamp combines a vertical strip bearing the school's motto, with one brown and one blue-and-red version of the school's round logo to create the number 100.
 
The postal bureau said the stamp will have a face value of 0.8 yuan (9 US cents) and was printed with sculptured printing technology and special anti-forgery ink with metallic luster.

Altogether, 14.3 million stamps, together with 100,000 commemorative envelops, will be issued to the public. Every Fudan graduate and faculty member can get a free stamp and envelope set, Fudan officials said.

Meanwhile, Fudan's newly built Guanghua Tower -- the tallest building on any domestic campus -- will be inaugurated today.

Located on the east side of Fudan's Handan Road campus, the 30-story connected twin tower will serve as the university's main research and teaching building, with space for a student activity center, teacher's lounge and coffee bars.

The building is scheduled to be put into use this September.

(Shanghai Daily May 27, 2005)