CHINESE students are being approached to help statisticians with next year's national census.

Bosses from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have visited Middlesex University in a bid to sign up more Oriental students to help with translating and explaining the survey to the minority group.

The University, which has its main campus in The Burroughs, Hendon, has one of the largest populations of Chinese students in the country.

William Wong, community advisor from the ONS, met with University staff with the aim of recruiting students who may be able to help in the lead up to the survey date of March 27, 2011.

He said: “We have to make sure every community takes part in the census.

“Nearer the time there will be completion events at the University and in the community, where people can come for assistance, and that is where we will need help.

“The Chinese community is made up of very diverse groups in terms of age and background. A lot of the older generation don't speak English well, and the students can help explain the information because they speak both English and Mandarin well.”

The census is carried out every ten years and is a count of the population, noting such details as ethnicity, housing conditions and religion.

And Mr Wong believes helping out in the build up will benefit students' CVs.

He said: “It can form part of their work experience.

“A lot of students are expected to take time out to find work and in the current climate it is very difficult. But this is why I am talking to the University to see if students are interested in getting some voluntary work.”

Anyone able to help with the translations can contact William Wong by email at HC51@ons.gov.uk.