As part of an effort to aid colleges and universities in China's western region, the Ministry of Education has issued a statement entitled "Opinions of the Ministry to Further Promote the Work in Support of the Institutions of Higher Learning in China's Western Areas" and set up a group to coordinate its funding and related policies.

Aid plan

The plan to aid higher education institutions in the western region first came into effect in 2001. The number of recipient institutions in the region has since grown to 38 from just 13 at first.