Heilongjiang Provincial Government recently announced 2 billion yuan ($301.4 million) of extra cash to support Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), in a bid to develop it into a world-class university.

According to a policy paper issued on Oct 31, the funds will be used to promote HIT’s global influence by improving the quality of education, introducing talented experts and scholars, science and technology innovation, and international communications and cooperation.

The arrangements for the funds include establishing a scientific installation platform for the research of aviation technology and space science, which will be China’s first platform of this type when it is completed. The provincial government will also enact preferential policies on land usage, infrastructure construction, and administrative examination and approval.

To speed up commercialization of scientific research achievements, the government of Harbin and HIT will jointly establish an “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Fund”, which is expected to play an important role in boosting the transformation and upgrading of local industries.
　
In addition, graduates from HIT will be included in Heilongjiang’s talent introduction mechanism, which means they can enjoy a living allowance, housing subsidies, and improved promotion opportunities when they choose to work in Heilongjiang. Also, key scientific research institutes and government departments in Heilongjiang will give preference to outstanding graduates from HIT.

Deepening communications and cooperation with universities outside China will also feature on HIT’s to do list. The first step for HIT is to cooperate with Saint Petersburg University to establish a Sino-Russia higher education institute.