Beijing University has launched a programme to nurture a body of highly-skilled teachers and researchers for the next century.

The "middle-aged academic elite programme" will involve selecting 200 top scholars in each academic field to prepare them to tutor doctoral degree students in five to seven years' time, said programme director Zhang Jingchun.

Beijing University is traditionally famed for its rich human resources. About 28 per cent of the university's 2,582 teachers are professors, but their average age is 57.9 years. Nearly two-thirds of doctoral tutors are over 60.

The programme aims to provide academics to replace the senior professors who will retire from major teaching and research work during the next five years.

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Last year 87 key academics below the age of 50 were selected for the programme and a similar number is expected to be picked this year.

Academics selected for the programme will each receive a monthly subsidy of 150 yuan (Pounds 11.53) per month, and further allowances for participating in international activities and producing published work. Bonuses up to 5,000 yuan will be paid for outstanding academic achievements.

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Beijing University's Founder Group Corporation has provided an initial 1 million yuan for the programme.