Shandong shows its talent for attracting researchers

Updated: 2014-11-19 08:13

By Zhao Ruixue(China Daily)

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 Shandong shows its talent for attracting researchers

Shandong Governor Guo Shuqing (center) exchanges opinions with scholars returning from overseas during the talent talks. Photos By Ju Chuanjiang / China Daily

Even though she obtained her postdoctoral degree from the University of California, Zhang Yan says she is happy to focus on research work in China rather than stay in the United States.

"The Chinese government gives a lot of support to scientific research. You won't be ignored as long as you excel in the field you major in," she says.

Zhang, together with 19 other overseas Chinese, was honored by the Shandong provincial government for her contribution to Shandong's economic and social development at the eighth Shandong High-End Talent Talks which ended last week.

Since 2003, when the provincial government began to honor overseas Chinese, a total of 60 have received the award.

Zhang earned her PhD in Germany in 2005 before doing postdoctoral work on plant genes in the US from 2006 to 2010.

She now works as a professor at Shandong Agricultural University where she conducts research into plant genetics.

The 37-year-old is among a growing number of Chinese scientists with overseas experience who are being lured back to China by supportive policies.

Guo Shuqing, governor of Shandong, said the Talent Talks which are held every two years are a platform for global talent to promote their high-tech achievements and look for cooperation.

The previous seven talent talks have attracted more than 3,500 overseas Chinese who have generated 2,000 projects and created 500 new enterprises, according to the statistics of Shandong's human resources and social security bureau.

This year's Talent Talks attracted 498 Chinese with experience in 32 countries and regions and 239 post-doctorates from 60 Chinese universities and research organizations.

They submitted 7,667 project proposals in a variety of sectors, of which 3,358 projects have found partners.

With its Talent Talks, Shandong is building a human resources mechanism that features talent introduction, evaluation, cultivation, employment and incentive plans, Guo said at this year's Talent Talks.

The province launched a program in 2009, with the aim of attracting 10,000 overseas Chinese to work in Shandong over the next decade. Shandong's program comes after a national program was launched in 2008 with the aim of attracting 2,000 overseas talent and entrepreneurs over the same period.

Shandong has built 41 industrial and high-tech parks that are now home to more than 2,800 enterprises.

The province has also founded 364 postdoctoral research centers, covering a variety of fields, including new energy, environmental protection, machinery, electronics, petrochemicals, biopharmaceuticals and healthcare.

In addition to the infrastructure, the province also gives financial support, as well as a package of support policies covering children's education, household registration, spouse's work and social security, said Han Jinfeng, head of Shandong's human resources and social security.

The province has collected 8 million yuan to support overseas Chinese carrying out research work in the fields of new energy, new materials, information and biopharmaceuticals since 2006.

The provincial government also set up a special fund in 2006 to help postdoctorates start innovative projects. The fund had increased to 7 million yuan ($1.14 million) last year, up from 5 million yuan in 2006.

Those who major in hightech industries and want to start an enterprise can also apply for financial support from the government. Since 2013, the provincial government has allocated 4 million yuan to help qualified people start up 30 enterprises.

zhaoruixue@chinadaily.com.cn

 

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