The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has taken a new step to attract talent from among non- military university graduates by offering scholarships for these students, beginning this September, the China Youth Daily reported .

Beijing University and Qinghua University, the two most famous universities in China, are the first to have the National Defense Scholarship which provides each recipient with about 5,000 yuan a year to cover tuition and lodging fees.

The amount of the scholarship may be adjusted in accordance with changes in these expenses, the paper quoted Zhang Weihua, director of the PLA office on selection and training of reservists at the two universities.

More than 60 students have applied for the scholarships and an examination will be held to determine the recipients.

Zhang said the army urgently needs talented professionals with majors in subjects including electronics, computer science, automation, and foreign languages.

Among the scientists rewarded by the government for their contributions to the defense industry, many are from Beijing and Qinghua universities, Zhang said.