Students at 15 local universities will have the chance to learn more about ancient Chinese handicrafts at workshops on intangible culture heritage.

Liu Xiaoyan is a student at Shanghai Normal University and it's her first time learning bamboo sculpting. She says she found it very interesting.

"I didn't have an opportunity to learn about it before. If there are some training sessions, I would like to study it further," said Liu.

Bamboo sculptures were popular in the Yangtze River Delta during the Qing Dynasty about 400 years ago. Sculptors from Jiading were known for their skilled carvings. But the skill gradually faded after World War II. In 2006, bamboo sculpting was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Two years ago, primary and secondary schools in Jiading District introduced courses to promote the craft. However, there are only 4 sculptors who are now able to teach the courses.

"Many students show great interest in this skill, but we only have time to teach one lesson in the schools. The number of skilled teachers can not meet the demand," said bamboo sculptor He Xin.

Fifty-five ancient skills that originated in Shanghai have been added to the national intangible cultural heritage list. Passing the skills on to younger generations is proving difficult. Shanghai Normal University is now offering undergraduate courses on intangible cultural heritage so that more trained teachers will be available in the future. The school will offer a course on the ancient instrument known as the guqin.

"We are cooperating with the Shanghai Guqin Association to develop a course in our musical school. After the students graduate, they will be qualified to teach the instrument in local schools. It's a practical way to preserve and pass on treasured traditions," said Jin Guozhong from Shanghai Normal Univ. Music School.

A sachet maker says they welcome young people learning such skills and bringing forth new ideas.

"We are traveling around and finding inspiration for new products. We've seen some techniques used in the fashion industry now. We hope that young college students who love traditional culture can work with us to develop new products with ancient techniques," said sachet maker Chen Xingzhi.

Students can learn up to 10 techniques that have been made either national or city intangible cultural heritage lists at the workshops. They include stamp sculpting and ink making.