A network education company jointly set up by Shandong University and International Education Technology Company (IET) of the United States was launched on Saturday aiming to offer Internet-based study opportunities.

   Zhan Tao, president of Shandong University, said the goal was to import an outstanding overseas electronic learning system and resources in a bid to upgrade the university's quality of education.

   Yang Shanmin, general manager of the newly established Shangda Longtu Network Education Company, said a digital network would be set up within a year among all the 28 schools, 23 labs, three libraries and 700 classrooms throughout Shandong University.

   The company will also base electronic learning centers in the cities of Jinan, Qingdao, and Weihai and next year Shandong University will be able to share resources through the network with 57 colleges in Shandong province, east China.

   Jeffrey H. Watson, IET board chairman, said his company would provide first-class products and a sound service for Shandong University. He also expressed his intense interest in Chinese culture, which had attracted him to do business in China.

   Internet-based learning is considered a new and supplementary method for developing higher and vocational education. China's Ministry of Education has already approved a plan to conduct trials with distance learning programs in about 60 key colleges and universities.