BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Some 60 percent of the 2008 graduates from China's prestigious Qinghua University who have secured jobs are to work for state employers including state-owned big companies, key research institutes and the armed forces.

    Qi Jinli, director of Qinghua office of career services, said here on Sunday that among all 3,500 graduates who have signed job contracts with employers, 60 percent chose to work for the key state-owned companies, key universities, state and provincial research institutes and the armed force, an increase of five percentage points from last year.

    The other graduates have signed to work for multinational companies, private businesses and non-profit organizations. A total of 201 graduates will work in Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi and Chongqing, all affected by the massive earthquake on May 12, Qi said.

    Twelve graduates volunteered to work in rural areas, the official added.

    The Beijing-based university is well known for churning out high-quality engineers. Quite a few Chinese state leaders, including President Hu Jintao, are Qinghua graduates.

    More than 6,000 students were expected to graduate from Qinghuat his summer. Apart from the 3,500 who have already signed job contracts, the rest are still considering their future career, Qi said, adding that some of them may choose further study both at home and abroad while some may launch their own business.