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Inter-college Network
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Universities in the western region are interconnected through a central server and have access to the China Education and Research Network (CERNET). Web-based technology will empower institutions to share resources and raise the standards of research and development. Students will be able to access the Internet in open classrooms that have computer facilities. Application solutions will be installed to enhance the efficiency of international management and financial systems as well as to facilitate the digitization of library materials.
The Central Government has listed this project as one of the Nation's Rural schools’ distance Education Programs and has pledge to commit RMB 10 billion (US$1.3 billion) to provide distance education in approximately 500,000 primary and secondary schools. |
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Satellite Transmission Advance Network for Distance-learning
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Mr. Li believes that the nurturing of talents begins at an early age. This project aims to help raise the quality of teaching in primary and secondary schools by using satellite technology to deliver information to students in underdeveloped areas. Along with facilities provided by the Ministry of Education, over 10,000 schools will be able to benefit within one year.
As the project is aptly named the Satellite Transmission Advance Network for Distance-learning, or STAND for short, people in remote and underdeveloped regions will be given the opportunity to "Stand on their own feet" and with the help of new-found knowledge also be given the ability to change their community's fate. The project was implemented in 2001.
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Visiting Scholars |
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There are two separate schemes aimed at bringing top caliber teachers to major universities in the western region. These programs will help to strengthen academic faculties and cultivate subject experts. |
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Scholarships for Minority Students |
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This scheme provides financial assistance for outstanding but needy minority students and encourages them to help promote education development for other minorities in the western region. |
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Infrastructure Projects |
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These infrastructure projects for seven institutions of higher learning are designed to help improve teaching standards and facilities. |
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University Research |
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A scientific research grant was approved to support Lanzhou University’s agricultural research to help improve soil conditions and the livestock industry. |
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Medical Colleges |
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Six medical colleges received support to provide free medical care for the needy and to train local medical staff. |
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Primary Schools |
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Construction of 11 boarding schools for primary and secondary minority students in Guizhou and Gansu Provinces is planned. |
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Heritage Preservation |
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Projects include restoration of Yulin Gootto in Gansu and Ta’er Temple in Qinghai. |
Mr. Li has always believed that knowledge can reshape destiny. Responding
to China's plans to kick-start the development of the western regions,
the Li Ka Shing Foundation and the Ministry of Education collaborated
to launch a series of projects that aim to support the region's education
and medical care development. Mr. Li hopes that through these projects,
knowledge can be transmitted across deserts and over mountains to
people whose lives can be vastly improved by gaining access to information.
The West is a vast region with disparate growth prospects. To gain a deeper understanding of the latest situation, Li Ka-shing and members of the Li Ka Shing Foundation traveled to regions of the West in February 2001. During a nine day visit that took them across seven cities and six provinces, Mr. Li and his team pledged to support a number of major initiatives, including the following: