A long-distance education system from which people can select courses and study online is being built throughout the country, local educational officials revealed yesterday.

People, regardless of their age and occupation, can log onto certain Websites to select and take courses available in the system according to their own interests, just like when they are shopping in big supermarkets.

The news was released yesterday in Shanghai at the 2003 World Summit of Mega-universities, a two-day gathering of principals from the world's top distance education universities, with more than 10,000 students.

Starting in 2001, the pilot system commenced in 10 major long-distance education universities around the country, including Shanghai Television University and China Central Radio and TV University.

The system frees students from time limitations and location restrictions.

Currently, courses offered online are mainly for vocational training. After passing a test, people receive a university certificate.

Curriculums of famous Chinese universities such as Tsinghua and Fudan are also scheduled to be integrated into the system, officials said. They didn't give specific dates when the system will be completed.

"As the number of students enrolled in distance education has exceeded 2 million nationwide, online education is undoubtedly the most effective way for the majority to continue lifelong learning," said Zhang Yaoxue, director general of the Ministry of Education's higher education department.

Currently, a 42,000-square-meter new campus of Shanghai Television University is under construction.

The new campus will be used as the local controlling center for the emerging new education system.

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