The number of HIV/AIDS sufferers at Beijing's higher education institutions has been increasing in recent years, the city's Education Commission said on Tuesday.

As of June, the number of reported students with HIV/AIDS in Beijing was 1,244, including 722 ages 18 to 22, according to the authority.

Up to 98.48 percent of that 722 are male, and 86.7 percent were infected through homosexual activity, it said, adding that 50 new cases were reported in 49 colleges last year.

"Colleges should attach importance to the rising trend of HIV/AIDS infections among students," the commission said.

It said the capital's health department had found that many students lack knowledge about prevention, and advised that colleges should add courses to strengthen education.