Centers of excellence

Tsinghua University, in conjunction with local governments, is setting up bases in rural areas to explore long-term revitalization projects, Zhao Ruixue reports in Weihai, Shandong province. Zhao Ruixue

In late November, it might have been cold outside the Tsinghua University Rural Revitalization Wendeng Station in Weihai, Shandong province, but inside, a lively discussion about how to develop the town by integrating the institution's resources with those of the local, rural area was heating up.

The facility, jointly built by the university and the town government of Dashuipo, is located in Wendeng district of the coastal city.

"We can coordinate resources of our university to provide targeted assistance, but we need to know what the town needs by doing research in the town," Zhang Shuming, representing Tsinghua at the discussion, explained to the room.

The 23-year-old, who is pursuing a doctoral degree at the School of Architecture of Tsinghua University, immediately began fielding questions and responses from village and town officials.