Li Zhonghua, the teacher of the tree-climbing course, shows students how to climb a tree properly during a class in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, on Friday, December 6, 2018. (Photo: VCG)

Chengdu University is teaching students how to properly climb a tree using professional equipment as part of the school's leisure sports major, reports the Chengdu Economic Daily.

Currently there are 20 students enrolled in the new course. At the end of the training, the students face an exam that tests their climbing skills, along with their ability to set-up the climbing equipment and their knot-tying techniques

Tree climbing is a recognized outdoor sports event, said Li Zhonghua, the outdoor sports teacher at the university that is teaching the course. He said it has become an independent industry that has created new kinds of jobs.

"It constitutes a current trend for the industry, and we are developing students' skills for their future career," he added.

He pointed out that steps have been taken to protect the safety of the students and the health of the tree.