The Northwest University in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province opens tree-climbing class. (Photo/Huashang Newspaper)
(ECNS) -- Climbing a tree is usually a game for Chinese children in rural areas, but a college in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, has written it into its curriculum as an optional course for postgraduate students.
Twenty-four graduate students at the Northwest University, including 13 women and 11 men, chose the new tree-climbing course in the semester that started in September.
"This is a new one, and few students know about it. I am sure more students will choose it in the next term," said Ren Yingkun, a graduate student majoring in pharmaceutical engineering, after taking a trial lesson.
Many courses at the university relate to outdoor activities, said Li Yang, an official with Northwest University. Some professional exercises, such as tree climbing, will help students acquire outdoor survival skills and ensure their security when they do research, he said.
Some students proposed to open the course two years ago, Li said. The university employed Liu Ge, who majored in rock climbing, and Chen Chao, a professional and licensed tree climber, as teachers. "The university is the first college to open the course in the northwest," Li said, adding that only Xiamen University had offered such a course.
The 16 tree-climbing lessons in one semester will teach students how to use the correct gear, outdoor survival knowledge, climbing up and down, how to use ropes, and first aid skills.
The teachers introduced students to outfits and outdoor survival knowledge in the first class, said Liu Meizhou, a student, who was surprised when Chen Chao was able to climb about eight meters in six seconds. "I like outdoor activities, but I have not received such professional training before," she said.
