The number of academicians working full-time in Ningbo climbs from two to 23 in the past two years. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

The number of academicians working full-time in Ningbo has climbed from two to 23 in the past two years, official data show.

The fast growth is an indication of the city's increasing attractiveness among top professionals.

With its rich culture and vibrant private sector, Ningbo has strong future potential and is riding a wave of technical revolution as it pursues industrial development, noted Xue Qunqi, who was among the first academicians to settle down in the city. 

"Ningbo is at the height of its development."

Nearly half of academicians working full-time in the city are from overseas, a result of the city's increased efforts to bring in talent from Central and Eastern European countries and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The city has seen outstanding results in expanding its premium talent pool in recent years. 

A head official from the talent office of the CPC Ningbo municipal committee said that Ningbo is now home to 69 industrial technology research institutes with over 30,000 professionals, of which more than 70 percent are engaged in research and development. 

In 2019, a total of four provincial academician workstations and 27 provincial postdoctoral workstations were established in Ningbo, more than any other city in Zhejiang. 

The year also saw the addition of 11 enterprises with the highest market shares in their niche markets in China, bringing the total number in the city to 39, ranking first nationwide.