China will encourage college students to take gap years to start their own businesses while clearly defining the length and conditions of gap years, a Ministry of Education (MOE) official said on Wednesday.
Lin Huiqing, vice minister of education, said in an online briefing with Internet users, that it was proposed in 2015 that college students may take gap years to start up businesses and return afterwards to school for their diplomas.
Some localities and universities specified terms, for instance, an 8-year limit for completing exams or thesis.
Lin said, a nationwide stipulation on specific terms will be put forward this year to encourage student entrepreneurship.
Universities should invite scientists, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to lecture on innovation and entrepreneurship, according to Lin.
In another development, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security launched an employment service campaign that will last till July to better connect employers and colleges.
2016 will see 7.65 million college students graduate, 160,000 more than last year.
