The Ningbo Greater Bay Construction Engineering Research Center is launched on Jan 9 at the Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

An engineering research center strengthening the involvement of Ningbo in the provincial project of Greater Bay Area construction was launched on Jan 9 at the Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University (ZJUNIT). 

Zhejiang province has recently been committed to building itself into a world-class modern bay area on a par with the San Francisco Bay, New York Bay and Tokyo Bay, the top three global bay areas. Ningbo plays a big part in the project.

The Ningbo Greater Bay Construction Engineering Research Center will be composed of four institutes, covering research on the geology, transportation, environment and engineering of the city to contribute to the Greater Bay Area construction. 

Li Chaofen, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Academy of Engineering, will be the director and chief scientist of the center. He is also the first academician introduced by Zhejiang University, and the fifth in Ningbo to work a full-time job in the city. 

With an educational background in Hong Kong University and University of Western Ontario, Canada, Li is a prestigious scholar in civil engineering and water conservancy, with participation in multiple major domestic infrastructure projects. 

"As one of the starting ports of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Ningbo plays a key role in the province's Greater Bay Area construction," said Li, adding that he was impressed by Ningbo during his visit to the city over a decade ago and had close relations with Ningbo entrepreneurs in Hong Kong. 

"We have maintained close contact with Academician Li and I believe that Li's participation will reinforce our cooperation with Hong Kong in science, culture and education," said Hu Zhengyu, Party chief of ZJUNIT.

The research center will introduce around 30 professors and 40 technical and management workers to form a research team led by Li, and will also establish an expert committee consisting of well-known scholars at home and abroad.

Li Chaofen, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Academy of Engineering, delivers an inauguration speech at the launch ceremony. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]