Tianjin University, the University of Michigan, a construction industry technology research institute in Nantong and the city's high-tech industrial zone signed an agreement in early June to develop a research center to focus on sustainable architecture.

The center will focus on modern building technologies and materials engineering to enhance Nantong’s construction industry and meet the growing demand from local businesses as they look to transform their operation bases, city officials said.

The facility is expected to play an active role in advancing exchanges in technology research and commercialization as well as human resources, they noted.

Nantong has benefited from Tianjin University’s services, said Ding Dawei, Party chief of the city, during a recent meeting between delegations from the two universities.

The city has enjoyed fruitful cooperation with Tianjin University after they reached a framework agreement for comprehensive collaboration in 2012, Ding added.

The University of Michigan, one of the oldest public universities in the United States, is also a crucial campaigner for China-US cultural and educational exchanges, he said.

In another move by the two universities to support Nantong’s development, the planned joint venture is expected to further the cooperation by integrating the schools’ technological expertise with the city’s industrial and environmental advantages, he said.

As a well-known home for progressive architecture, Nantong was recently tasked to modernize its construction industry in the hopes that its development can be used as model for the nation.

Nantong Mayor Zhang Guohua said he hoped the project will provide fresh opportunities for furthering cooperation and injecting new vigor into the transformation and innovation of the traditional sector.

He also called on the schools to expand collaboration in education in Nantong and help improve the internationalization of higher learning institutions in the city.

Li Jiajun, president of Tianjin University, told the city officials that his school regards Nantong as a strategic partner.

Aside from developing the center, the universities of Tianjin and Michigan will consider jointly founding a new university in Nantong to draw more partners from the academic circle and the business community to the city to explore more cooperative opportunities, he said.

By Ding Congrong, Xu Yahua and Huang Kai