The China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) has announced that a number of Chinese students will be enrolling on a course at the ARS ARPEL Shoe Design Institute in Milan, Italy this year as part of an effort to elevate the level of Chinese design. A joint project organised by the CLIA, Beijing Leather School, and ARS ARPEL, the Chinese students will attend a range of classes in footwear design.

According to the CLIA, the course will last three months and take place in Italy from September 2002. Those students who pass the final examinations will be awarded internationally-recognised diplomas by the ARS ARPEL Shoe Design Institute and will also be given certificates by the CLIA.