Background
03 Jan 2008
Since the launch of the Great West Development Strategy (GWDS) in year 2000, great changes have been observed in western China. Infrastructure construction has been significant and in many cases has successfully modernized parts of the region. Both domestic and foreign investments have been devoted into this unexplored growing market. The booming brings opportunities as well. Businesses there require a big reservoir of high-quality human resources and the continuous improvement of technology, both should be originated to education, especially the higher education. Science, technology and education is one of the focuses of GWDS, having been highly emphasized by the central government of PRC.
According to the latest "211 project" list, 19 universities are from traditional west part of China. Most of these universities, due to the historical reasons and geographical disadvantage, only have very limited connection with foreign counterparts in the past. However, benefiting from the GWDS, these universities now have the capability and opportunities to walk out and try to build connection with outside world. The strong support of central government, together with the booming business environment, making a variety of creative cooperation possible.