The Institute of Biophysics (IBP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) and the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, CAS, on Dec 3, to launch a Cutting-Edge Talents Joint Training Program. The move is part of efforts to further intensify strategic cooperation between scientific research institutions and colleges and universities.

Officials at the Chongqing Municipal Government and leaders from CQMU, the IBP and the CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science all attended the signing ceremony.

Huang Ailong, president of CQMU, presided over the ceremony. He underlined the work done by CAS Academician Wang Zhizhen, former vice chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, to put the cooperation agreement in place, and expressed his gratitude to Wang for the concern she has shown about the development of medical education and scientific research and innovation.

President Huang Ailong speaks at the signing ceremony on Dec 3.

Liu Yanbing, Party secretary of CQMU, spoke highly of the leading role of the CAS in scientific and technological innovation in his speech, and said that they will cherish the opportunity to work with CAS - a high-level science and technology think tank - to foster more innovative talents in medical research and pool more wisdom and strength into local economic and social development.

Liu Yanbing, Party secretary of CQMU, speaks at the ceremony on Dec 3.

Xu Ruiming, director of the IBP, thanked the local government and CQMU for their great attention and support for the cooperation. Noting that the IBP has been attaching great importance to scientific education and personnel training, and that the country has elevated "serving for the life and health of the people" to a higher level, Xu said that cooperating with medical colleges and universities will be a great driving force for development. The cooperation between the institute and CQMU will strengthen CAS's ability to train medical personnel, he added.

Xu Ruiming delivers a speech during the ceremony on Dec 3.

The training program will introduce renowned teachers, cutting-edge academic ideas and CAS's national research platform resources into CQMU's postgraduate education courses and scientific research, improve the scientific quality and innovation ability of doctoral students, and explore an innovative model of cooperative training of top talents between universities and research institutes, thus contributing to the integration of science and education.

After the ceremony, the first students to be admitted by the IBP had an in-depth exchange with their instructors.

Representatives of the three parties sign the cooperative agreement of a joint training program on Dec 3.