Jay Chou to teach at Fudan University

SHANGHAI: Pop prince Jay Chou has accepted a request by Fudan University's Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts to tutor its students and offer them guidance.

Taiwan's actor and musician Jay Chou arrives at a news conference to promote his movie "The Curse of the Golden Flower" in Tokyo February 11, 2008. [Agencies]

Li Liya, a teacher with the institute, told China Daily yesterday Chou accepted the offer on Sunday when he met more than 1,000 students at the school.

The Taiwan-based singer, actor and director was in Shanghai for the premiere of his movie Kungfu Dunk.

"He has such a wide appeal to youngsters," Li said.

"He is talented and experienced in music and performance, which will benefit our students greatly."

Li said Chou will tutor and guide students in the institute's performing school when he has the time. He chose to be a volunteer, which means the school will not pay him for his services, Li said.

"Chou accepted the job happily and said again and again that he would like to talk to the students," Li said.

Before Chou, the school had also signed Taiwanese director Ang Lee, who directed Lust, Caution, as an honorary professor, and Eric Tsang, a Hong Kong actor and anchorman, as a guest professor.

Chen Xi, a third-year student of TV and broadcasting, said she and her schoolmates have been very excited at the prospect of Chou teaching them, although she admitted that they seldom see those celebrity professors.

"We have to fit into their busy schedules," she said.