University says business students have to take golf lessons

A Chinese university is to make golf lessons a compulsory part of its business and economics syllabus.

Zhu Chongshi, the dean of Xiamen University, in the south-east of the country, said it would be opening a driving range in the next two months.

While subsidised courses would be laid on for all students, they would be obligatory for those studying management, law, economics and software engineering. "Golf will improve students' health, and will also teach them skills in socialisation, which will be helpful after graduation," said Mr Zhu. "The ultimate expression of a university's contribution to the public good is the training of a social elite." Staff at the university said the golf course was a result of Mr Zhu's vision.

However, an academic told China Daily that, at a time when much of China lacked basic health care, the decision was "vulgar".