AS part of a new program launched by local human resources and educational authorities to encourage entrepreneurship, 12 local universities, including Tongji and Shanghai Jiao Tong, yesterday established special offices to help students start up businesses.

The guidance offices are expected to provide professional services that exceed those offered by the institutions' existing career service centers, such as policy consultation and tutoring, as well as help seeking investors.

"The cooperation with the authorities will make our service more professional for potential entrepreneurs among our students," said Xu Xun, director of the student career center at Tongji University.