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China Trains Tech-Savvy Servicemen
Petty Officer Cui Guoqiang studies computer science not in a university classroom, but in his barracks.
He logs on the "Training and Service System for Officers and Soldiers," an Intranet training system designed to allow the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers to keep up their studies while in service.
The 24-year-old Cui graduated from a college before joining a motorized infantry regiment in northwestern Xinjiang Military Command Area. He said he hopes to earn a living after demobilization by capitalizing on the education he's received through the training system.
The PLA has been embracing information technology in all ways of its work, so that soldiers in grassroots units can use computers connecting with the military Intranet in their dormitories, or the Internet in Internet cafes inside barracks.
Zhang Qianli, head of the political department of an infantry division, said that the system, developed by the Lanzhou Military Command Area, can provide a variety of online services for officers and soldiers, including education and military training.
The system allows service people to create detailed study plans and schedules, helping them organize multiple courses and training sessions. In addition to computer science, Cui uses the system to study English and law.
"In the past, I learned aimlessly and didn't know where to start. Now I can find an online tutor," said Yi Jinkui, a squad leader.
Zhang said that the system can also keep officers updated on soldiers' comments, demands and complaints, as they can make anonymous survey on the system.
"We used to make paper print surveys, which often cost one or two weeks to figure out the results," Zhang said. "With the new system, the result can come out immediately after soldiers finish surveys on the Intranet."
Soldiers are also free to ask questions anonymously through the system, allowing them to seek guidance from their fellow soldiers on topics ranging from military training to personal issues such as marriage.
"The system features the best resources in the area, providing the soldiers with better service and giving us a useful tool," said Zheng Hong, a military psychologist.
Source: Xinhua |
