Naran, a 43-year-old herder, is the subject of admiration and envy in Ulaanqab, Inner Mongolia, after she was admitted by Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, where she will study tourism management.

"My dream of going to a university has now come true," said Naran who took the national entrance examination, or gaokao, for universities and colleges together with her son last month.

Naran scored a total of 404 points while her son got 520.  Her son came in first in science in the city of Ulaanqab. 

"We herders should keep pace with the times and enrich ourselves with knowledge," she told local media. "Now I have a very wonderful feeling."

Naran had to give up gaokao to look after her mother who was ill 23 years ago.

"But I never regretted it, as my mother is a very important person in my life," she said.