A senior student at Tongji University, using the alias Huang Yiwei, is seeking US$40,000 in assistance from an individual or private firm for overseas study, and has promised to sign an agreement to repay contributors after graduation, the Youth Post reported today.

Huang, from Hubei Province, majored in information and control engineering at Tongji University, and has been accepted for post-graduate study by Cornell University, ranked eighth among US universities, but did not win a scholarship.

Huang sent a letter to the Youth Post offering two contribution plans. For an individual, Huang will repay the money along with certain economic returns on the basis of a bilateral agreement. For a private company, Huang will spend 2-6 years working for it.

Huang is very confident about his future, expecting to earn an annual salary of US$60,000-US$80,000 after graduation.

Huang, who cannot afford to pay US$40,000 in tuition, feels that he is a safe investment.

"There are many people in Shanghai investing in securities or real estate and I hope one of them can support my study," Huang said. "Investing in securities or the real estate market is risky, while investing in me is without risk," he said. "I will repay the funds and provide economic returns after graduation," he added.

"If a private firm is willing to invest in me, I will work for it for two to six years, as many private enterprises need employees with overseas educational credentials," Huang said.

However, most potential investors are bearish about Huang's offer. "The investment risk is no lower than on the stock market, as nobody can guarantee he will return to the country after graduation and if he doesn't return, it would be impossible for me to get my money back," said a small stock investor, surnamed Tao. The agreement would be worthless if he doesn't come back, Tao added.

"I prefer to seek candidates with overseas academic credentials on the labor market rather than waiting for them to go and come back," said a private firm owner, surnamed Sun.