University widens 'dream' for the poor

Renmin University of China plans to increase by 50 percent the number of students it recruits through its University Dream Plan this year, two years after the plan was launched.

The list of middle schools qualified to recommend students for the program was posted on the website of the university's undergraduate students admissions office on April 6.

The plan mainly aims to recruit students from rural areas and regions of high poverty who have good academic performance or who show strong potential in particular areas.

It is in line with the notice recently issued by the Ministry of Education that aims for a higher percentage of students from rural areas being admitted to prestigious universities in China.

The notice made clear that the universities should set up independent recruitment channels for students in rural areas to promote educational equality.

Chen Yulu, president of Renmin University of China, said that the university will implement a six-step recruitment process to ensure fairness and transparency.

He also said that the key to educational equality in China is ensuring equal opportunity and the reasonable allocation of educational resources.

Currently, students in rural areas have limited access to educational resources, and the university will level the playing field, he said.

Since its University Dream Plan was implemented in 2012, Renmin University of China has recruited 96 undergraduate students from 94 high schools across China. About 77 percent of them are from the country's central and western areas.