Shanghai, provinces sign science deal

Science and technology associations in Shanghai and its neighboring Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces are to cooperate on organizing high-level academic events, building a Yangtze River Delta science education "ecological circle," establishing a regional think-tank federation and improve regional services for sci-tech professionals.

The four associations signed an agreement at the Shanghai Science Hall which will set up a regional cooperation mechanism to introduce overseas talent as well as an innovation and entrepreneurship federation for them to serve the region's industrial technology demands.

For domestic scientists, integrated platforms on science and technology information services, commercialization of research findings, and innovation and entrepreneurship will be established with workshops of academicians and experts.

Academic exchanges will be organized along with integrated science and technology resources to build the Yangtze River Delta city cluster a highland for international academic communication.

Work on popularizing science will be promoted.

Ma Xingfa, vice president of the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, said integrated science education platforms would be set up for teenagers and there would be work with universities and scientific research institutes to cultivate middle school students with a talent for science and technology.

A science and technology think tank with database in different places in the Yangtze River Delta will be built and opened to and shared with each other, Ma said.