BEIJING, April 30 -- Shanghai Jiao Tong University announced today it has set up the city's first undergraduate overseas study foundation to entitle needy undergraduate students with the opportunity to study abroad.

    The fund, which was raised via donations, aims to aid 150 to 180 students each year with between 8,000 yuan (1,143 U.S. dollars) and 15,000 yuan to cover part of their short-term study costs at foreign universities.

    But only needy students with families living below the poverty line and a performance rank in the top 20 percent of their class are eligible, Jiao Tong officials announced yesterday.

    Since 2005, Jiao Tong has had an overseas study scheme that encourages and provides opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in degree programs, short-term exchange programs or summer school or internships at foreign partner universities.

    Jiao Tong officials said that about 14 percent of the university's nearly 20,000 undergraduates have obtained such overseas experience at about 50 universities to date.

    The university is planning to expand the percentage to 25 percent by 2010 and further push it to 50 percent by 2020, said Yin Jie, Jiao Tong's vice president.

    However, most of the overseas study costs should be raised by students. A study trip of four to six weeks in the United States will usually cost about 20,000 yuan.

    That seems to be a big burden for students from needy families, who are struggling to make ends meet for tuition, let alone overseas study, Yin said.

    "We don't want to limit opportunities to wealthy students," he said. "Needy young elites should also enjoy the right to learn about foreign cultures and add to the university's diversity."

    The fund is now open to public applications. The first beneficiaries are expected to go abroad next spring.

    Jiao Tong officials said that they would continue seeking donations to expand the fund.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily)