Tree climbing class opens

Joining the ranks of universities across the country that are introducing more interesting courses to enrich students' school life, Xiamen University recently launched a new elective course on tree climbing. Though the class allows students to learn a mixture of climbing techniques while increasing their physical fitness, many question its place in academia.

The new course opened at Xiamen University last week. Forty students, divided into two classes, have enrolled in the tree climbing course, which meets for two hours a week.

The curriculum is made up of two components, one involving theoretical learning, and the other being hands-on outdoor activities. In the five-week theoretical learning segment, students will learn about the history, development, significance and related techniques of tree climbing, to be followed by outdoor activities later in the semester.

Outdoor classes will be held in forests near campus, which have been certified by specialists from Tree Climbing Hong Kong (TCHK), an organization aimed at promoting modern arboricultural knowledge and tree climbing techniques in Hong Kong.

Students' physical fitness and mastery of techniques are the benchmark of their performance in the course examination. One credit will be given after they complete the course successfully.

The tree climbing course has been warmly welcomed by many students at Xiamen University. Huang Ke, a freshman studying foreign language, was quoted by the Southeast Express as saying, "Tree climbing as a competitive sport where you learn different techniques sounds really fun."

Another student surnamed Huang at Xiamen University told the Global Times that she observed a tree climbing class and felt the teachers were very professional.

However, though a large number of students are pleased with the new course, some critical voices can be heard.

Huang Lisheng, an associate professor with the school's physical education department, said that equipment for the course is too costly and the class can only take a small number of students, according to the Southeast Express.

Some netizens have expressed concern over whether instructors are really qualified to ensure students' safety, while others doubt that the course has any practical benefits at all and wonder how it will help students when they search for jobs in the future.

Some have even pointed out that tree climbing causes harm to trees, saying that the class is not environmentally friendly.

When asked to respond to such criticism, Lin Zhicheng, head of the Department of Physical Education at Xiamen University, told the Global Times that tree climbing is a new concept for the Chinese, and that most critics completely misunderstand what the course is about.

Lin said the cost of the equipment was worth it since it can be shared by students and used in future semesters. He also pointed out that consensus has been reached among his department's faculty after comprehensive information on tree climbing was provided.

"As for instructors, we sent four teachers to Singapore to study tree climbing, and TCHK specialists gave our teachers a nine-day training," Lin explained. "We underwent thorough preparations for the new course."

He also said that tree climbing employs a mixture of techniques, particularly using ropes, which are useful in all sorts of activities, including survival training.

He added that tree climbing expertise is necessary for the purpose of tree care, including disinsectization and pruning, a fact that most people are unaware of.

In 2005, Xiamen University opened an elective golf class which also sparked controversy at that time. Lin said that the golf class turned out to be a great success, and more universities offered similar courses in the following years.

"We will open more classes on tree climbing if the conditions permit. The goal of physical education is to make students love sports and form an exercise habit through various means," he said.