Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co.,Ltd and the Shanghai Maritime University have signed an agreement on jointly setting up "post-bachelor" courses in which students can study for one year with salaries.

The action came in an attempt to foster talents for hi-tech industry and promote employment rate among university students, according to Zhenhua.

The one-year "post-bachelor" courses currently cover mechanical engineering and equipment manufacture. The classes are funded by Zhenhua and focus on professional basics.

Guan Tongxian, board chairman of Zhenhua, said "Students should strengthen their theoretic knowledge as it it the foundation for their future work." He said such "post-bachelor" classes are in accordance with the needs of students, the university and the company.

According to Guan, 20 percent of the students in the class will be eliminated at the end of the class according to their score while the rest will be directly employed by Zhenhua.

Currently, a total of 42 graduates from the Shanghai Maritime University are enrolled in the classes. Zhenhua plans to recruit about 100 for the courses.

A detailed plan for the courses is still under consideration. The classes will begin in this September in the Shanghai Maritime University.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2009)