Mark S. Wrighton, chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, came to Shanghai to expand partnership with local schools. Provided to China Daily

In response to expanding research and educational partnerships in China, Washington University in St. Louis opened an office in Shanghai's Knowledge Innovation Community on May 25.

The Shanghai office will serve as a key resource for its alumni, prospective students and friends to enjoy stronger connections to the university as well as regular professional educational workshops.

"We are developing an ecosystem for innovation in entrepreneurship that helps us take important results from research to development and commercialization," said Mark S. Wrighton, chancellor of the medium-sized independent university that is well-known for its research, patient care and service to society.

Through the years, it has developed significant academic and research partnerships in China with Peking University, Tsinghua University and China Agricultural University in Beijing, and Fudan University in Shanghai, through its McDonnell International Scholars Academy.

The latter brings together exceptional international graduate and doctoral students from its 28 partner institutions worldwide to pursue world-class education and research while forging a strong network with one another.

The academy also encourages other initiatives, such as faculty collaboration across institutions on global issues.

McDonnell scholars will receive free tuition to cover all their educational expenses, a living allowance, a travel award to St. Louis and a round-trip ticket back to China once a year. The whole package is worth over $300,000.

"We have at least one partner in every populated continent, so China figures prominently in this partnership with four universities since it launched in 2015," said James V. Wertsch, vice chancellor for international affairs at Washington University in St. Louis.

Among the current batch of 55 McDonnell scholars who specialize in different areas around the world, about 30 are from China. Fudan has amassed 300 alumni over the last decade.

They regularly take trips, have meetings and learn about leadership by going on courses to create large networks to benefit their future careers.

"We are keen to generate future leaders with extensive networks because it is important for them to have friends and people they can work with in India, Brazil and anywhere in the world," said Wertsch.

In addition to the scholarship, Washington University in St. Louis and Fudan University are also collaborating on a couple of degree programs - the new master of social policy/master of arts dual-degree program and the executive MBA program, China's first joint venture in this area.

"As one of our greatest successes in China, the executive MBA program at Fudan University has got 600 alumni who are senior-level professionals in China and eager to achieve global leadership," said the chancellor.

The university will both compete and collaborate with rivals who are building similar partnerships with local institutions in a bid to recruit more top-caliber students in China.