A proposal by Tsinghua University to make swimming a compulsory skill for obtaining an undergraduate diploma, touted as a move to encourage students to stay fit, has received a mixed response.

Citing the urgent need to promote sports among students, Liu Bo, head of the university's sports science and physical education division, said on Monday that a proposal by university president Qiu Yong urging all undergraduate students to learn how to swim will be implemented at the start of the academic year.

The university will organize a swimming test for all freshmen in September, and those who fail to swim at least 50 meters using any stroke will be required to take a mandatory course throughout their studies so that they are able to swim by the time they graduate, otherwise the university won't grant them a diploma, Liu said.