Shanghai civic leaders made the pledge at the launch ceremony of a software school built by a partnership of Fudan University and University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland.

Wang Qi, vice-chairman of the the Shanghai Education Commission, said: "In order to implement strategies for the development of software businesses as an engine for GDP (gross domestic product) growth, the central government has chosen 35 top-notch universities, including Fudan and Jiaotong in Shanghai, where software schools are to be established.

"These universities will consequently be able to nurture more high-quality software professionals through systematic training."

The university has also been cooperating with renowned software companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Intel and Shanghai Software Park to provide students with more internships in these companies.

Fudan yesterday signed a memorandum with UCD to jointly run the software school in Fudan.

The school will greet 50 new students today, who have passed the entrance exam devised by Fudan and UCD.

According to Fudan President Wang Shenghong, a third of the lessons concerning software will be given by Irish professors from UCD for the 50 students.

Wang called them the "most excellent professors in the sector."

Dearbhla Doyle, consul of the Irish Consulate-General Shanghai, said DCD is one of the best universities in Ireland.

Officials hope that Shanghai's software exports will swell once the students become professionals.

Zang Binyu, dean of the software school, said: " The total investment in the school will be 500 million yuan (US$60 million), including land and intangible assets."

(China Daily September 4, 2002)