On July 2, the strategic cooperation framework agreement signing ceremony between Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT) and Zhejiang University of Technology was held at the transitional campus of EIT. Under the agreement, both sides will promote pragmatic cooperation in scientific research, talent cultivation, and faculty team building among other fields to jointly serve the nation's major strategic requirements. Chen Shiyi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of EIT, and Hu Jun, vice president of Zhejiang University of Technology, attended and addressed the ceremony. Zhang Dongxiao, member of the United States National Academy of Engineering, and executive vice president and academic dean of EIT, and Chen Yao, vice president of Zhejiang University of Technology, signed the agreement on behalf of both parties. Zheng Chunmiao, vice president of EIT, witnessed the signing ceremony.

Zhejiang University of Technology is the first provincial and ministerial jointly built university in the eastern coastal region, among the first batch of national "Higher Education Innovation Ability Enhancement Plan" (2011 Plan) collaborative innovation center led universities, and among the first batch of key construction universities in Zhejiang Province. EIT president Chen Shiyi and his delegation visited Zhejiang University of Technology this March and exchanged views with the university president Gao Xiang on scientific research platform building and talent cultivation of the two schools, and reached a preliminary consensus on cooperation.

This strategic cooperation agreement signing is a major move for the two schools to deepen cooperation, embodying both parties' efforts in implementing the spirit of the provincial education conference and the strategic requirements of Zhejiang province for higher education enhancement. Under the agreement, the two sides will co-build a scientific and technological innovation team, implement a mutual teacher employment plan, assist each other in applying for authorization to offer doctoral programs, and strengthen specialty disciplines. 

Hu Jun spoke highly of the great development potential of EIT as a new type of research university in its infancy. Under the leadership of President Chen Shiyi, the university quickly launched its preparatory work and posted a strong momentum of development especially in talent team building and scientific research results. This signing opens a new chapter of all-round and high-level cooperation between the two schools. It will be a milestone event in the history of both of them and an important measure to foster development of substance in higher education.

Chen Shiyi introduced EIT's running mechanism in its discipline arrangement, talent training, faculty team, scientific research, and other aspects. "EIT is a small-yet-excellent and internationalized new type of research university with a high starting point," said Chen, noting that it came into being thanks to the efforts of non-governmental organizations, key support at the state level, and joint support from the province and city. This cooperation with Zhejiang University of Technology will leave an indelible mark on the history of EIT. It is hoped that both parties will leverage their advantages and launch more extensive and deeper cooperation to jointly serve the nation's high-level sci-tech self-reliance and major regional strategies.

Attendees at the signing ceremony included relevant persons in charge from Zhejiang University of Technology's school office, academic affairs office, Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Social Science Research, and Graduate School (Discipline Construction Office), and other relevant persons in charge from EIT's Administrative Office, Teaching Department, Graduate School, Scientific Research Department, and External Cooperation Department.