The local government donated 374,640 yuan (about US$54,530) for 123 college students in Nyemo County, Tibet Autonomous Region.

Nyemo County has increased infrastructure investment to improve conditions of education for students, and urged Tibetans to finish junior middle school education to eliminate poverty, to finish senior middle school education to become prosperous and to graduate from university to live a well-off life.

"Many thanks for the help from our government which enables me to go to university, so that I don't have to worry about the expensive tuition. I will study hard and make contributions to my hometown," a student named Grodro said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2008)