Chinese university trains internet celebrities

Speakers: Li Ningjing and Sam Duckett

[Photo: thinkstockphotos.com]

A university in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has caused controversy by offering courses to train wannabe "Internet celebrities".

The training program, starting on Tuesday, was jointly launched by the Chongqing Institute of Engineering and Chongqing Miuyin, a cultural communication company.

It included courses in performance, live-streaming, video filming and image design.

An employee, surnamed Zhang, with the institute said, the training program takes aim at e-commerce and marketing graduates to help them find jobs.

Some of the courses, such as image design, performance, psychology and live streaming techniques, are taught by instructors arranged by the company.

Internet celebrities will be invited to teach students their practical experience in attracting fans, said the company manager, adding the students may be recruited as online broadcasters by the company after graduation.

Zhang said 19 students have signed up so far. 

The audio clip is from Studio+, produced by CRI.