Northwest University introduces tree-climbing course

A tree-climbing course was opened this school term at Northwest University in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, to teach students skills that might be helpful in a disaster or emergency situation.

According to the provincial education department's official account at China's micro blogging site Sina Weibo, the university opened the new course to graduate students to not only give them an opportunity to observe a range of ecosystems, but also to promote the development of canopy research.

Chen Chao, one of two teachers of the course, who is also a member of the International Arboriculture Association and a registered tree-climbing master, said that the course recruited 13 female students and 11 males.