Mo Feng, a Peking University medical school graduate, got a job with the Shenzhen Disease Prevention and Control Centre several months ago.

But last week, the 22-year-old student made a startling decision to walk away from the high-paying job and head west, in search of - "fulfillment."

"Help is badly needed in the west. I can help set up disease prevention centres and educate local people," explained Mo.

The "go west" volunteer programme was just announced by the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) Central Committee and the Education Ministry last week. Plans are to recruit up to 6,000 volunteers from this year's college grads.

More than 300 graduates, from 62 universities and colleges in the Beijing area, had signed up by Monday, according to the Beijing Education Commission.

Those chosen will work as rural teachers, medical personnel, agriculture technicians, and in poverty alleviation for one or two years.

Anyone interested can download a registration form from www.zyz.org.cn or www.cycnet.com, or make enquiries at the school. The deadline is June 30.

Volunteers will get accommodation and daily living subsidies from the Finance and Personnel ministries. They will also get preferential treatment in grad school or civil servant applications later on.

When their term is up they have the choice to continue working or to return home.

"There is hope that many will stay and tackle problems in a region that is badly in need of skilled, professional people," said Zhao Yong, of the CYLC Central Committee's secretariat.

As of now, 30,000 people are needed for 11 provinces and autonomous regions and the city of Chongqing.

"The new programme will help develop the west and create new employment opportunities for college grads," Zhao added.

This year, graduates are facing a hard time in the job search.

A total of 2.12 million students will graduate; 620,000 more than last year.

China Daily News

(HK Edition 06/19/2003 page1)