China Introduces Religious Study in University

China has recently set up a special department for religion study and research in the prestigious Nanjing University in the capital city of Jiangsu province.

The department will open both undergraduate and graduate courses to train experts who can "meet social demands", and do research into "important subjects".

Religious study and research have been deemed a pressing subject nowadays, as religion is playing an increasing role in domestic and international affairs, a leading executive of the university said, adding that the study will help solve many social and ethnic problems concerning religion.

Leaders of China's main religious organizations including Christianity, Catholicism, Islam and Buddhism and renowned scholars will be invited to teach or offer advice in the department.

Western missionaries had made Nanjing a major base in religion since the 17th century.

China has previously set up a religion department in Beijing University.



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