China's Ministry of Education has awarded a total of 129 million yuan (US$15.6 million) to 2,022 prominent young teachers, since the founding of an aid program15 years ago, sources with the ministry said in Beijing Wednesday.

Over 90 percent of the teachers have made outstanding achievements in technological research and teaching, and more than 70 percent had played a leading role in their respective subjects.

Thirteen were selected as members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, 29 were invited to lead national technological programs, and 738 became directors of departments and laboratories at higher education institutions.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2003)