China’s 111 Project is an initiative focused on fostering international collaboration in the higher education sector. It is already yielding significant results at Chengdu University
National governments recognise the crucial role of higher education in driving new ideas, advancing cutting-edge research and nurturing the talented workforce of the future. With this understanding, China launched its 111 Project in 2005, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education. The initiative aims to bring approximately 1,000 overseas experts from the top 100 universities and research institutes worldwide to 100 innovation hubs across China. The project's name reflects these figures: 1,000 experts, 100 universities and 100 innovation hubs.
The 111 Project aspires to position Chinese universities at the forefront of global academic development by integrating exceptional domestic subject leaders and innovative teams with international expertise. Chengdu University in the Sichuan province exemplifies how this initiative is making a tangible impact.
Since being selected as one of the 111 Project’s world-class subject innovation bases, Chengdu University has significantly enhanced its global and domestic reputation. The university’s innovation base addresses several major national strategic priorities, including reducing carbon emissions, supporting the Made in China 2025 programme, and promoting the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing twin-city economic circle.
The original goal of establishing 100 innovation bases in China’s higher education system has expanded, with over 200 bases now in operation. Each base is designed to foster high-level collaborative research, extensive training and high-quality academic exchanges. The project’s emphasis on developing disciplines with independent innovation capabilities is evident at Chengdu University, home to 27,000 full-time students and a host of domestic and international achievements.
Chengdu University’s dedication to collaboration is apparent through initiatives such as its recent agreement with the Academy of Fine Arts in Palermo to create an international integrated learning programme. Additionally, the university has signed a memorandum of cooperation with University College Birmingham in the UK. The establishment of Chengdu University’s 111 Project base has reinforced and expanded such commitments.
The Ministry of Education and the Education Department of the Sichuan Province have been instrumental in supporting Chengdu University’s development, with the 111 Project playing a key role. In the years ahead, the project will continue to guide the university’s research efforts, ensuring alignment with national and international objectives and meeting the evolving needs of students, academics and policymakers both within China and globally.
