Hou Shaokui (left), a Kunqu artist, teaches in Peking University. (Photo via Peking University)

Two courses focusing on Peking Opera theory and practice began in Tsinghua University during the new semester. Sixty students who signed up for the course will learn the vocal styles, finger and body movements of the opera from professional teachers.

In fact, many universities such as Tsinghua have previously run optional courses on traditional opera, with these courses proving popular among students.

Professor Sun Ping opened an opera course for 120 students in the Renmin University of China, but about 300 or 400 students rushed to sign up.

Public courses enable students to learn opera more systematically compared with lectures and activities, said Xu Qiang, an associate professor at the College of Liberal Arts, Anhui University.

A student puts on make up. (Photo via Art Center of Tsinghua University)

Some of the opera courses have been brought online to benefit more students. Nearly 50,000 students have applied for the Kun Opera appreciation course set up by Chen Weipeng, associate professor with Tsinghua University since it was added to an open online course platform in 2016.

Students in the Civil Aviation University of China and Karamay College of Xinjiang Medical University can earn credits by taking the online course.

On April 11, the Ministry of Education specified that colleges and universities should incorporate public art courses and practice into training programs and allow students to earn credits through these classes.

Zhao Hong, director of the Art Center of Tsinghua University, said with the policy, more students would have access to opera, promoting the inheritance of traditional culture.