The Beijing municipal government will set up a scholarship for foreign students and scholars in Beijing, the first of its kind in China, according to Beijing News.

 

The initial fund of the scholarship involves 30 million yuan (US$3.75 million) from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission (BEC).

 

The scholarship is classified into three categories with the highest at 40,000 yuan (US$5000) for each person. Some 1,500 foreign students and scholars studying in Beijing are expected to win the scholarship, the paper said.

 

The scholarship is mainly provided by the government, but individuals, companies and organizations are encouraged to make donations in future.

 

The aim of the scholarship is to attract more foreign students and scholars to study or work in Beijing to promote the internationalization of Beijing's higher education.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2005)