China will start a program this year to send 100 college leaders overseas to receive short term training in foreign countries including Japan, the US, England and Australia, the Beijing News reported Tuesday.

The program, initiated by China's Ministry of Education and State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, aims to let Chinese college leaders learn from the experience of the world's famous universities as well as to promote China's international education cooperation.

The training will last 24 days, with three days in China and 21 days in foreign countries. The cost of the trainees' international trips, food, accommodation and training fees will be paid by the country, but their trip and other expenditures within China will have to be paid by their college.

The 100 college leaders will receive the training in five different groups this year. Only one applicant from each college will be allowed to apply for the training.