Yan Zhen/Shanghai Daily news
Fudan University stages a musical fireworks show at its new Jiangwan
Campus last night, part of a series of activities held to mark the 100th
anniversary of the prestigious Shanghai school. ¡ª Zhang Suoqing
Shanghai government promised to invest more of its revenue into
education, expecting local universities to function as intellectual engines for
the city's development.
The statement of purpose came yesterday from Mayor
Han Zheng as he addressed the University Presidents Forum, which is part of
Fudan University's 100th anniversary celebration.
More than 130 presidents
from world-renowned seats of learning, such as Yale, Oxford, the University of
Sydney, the National University of Singapore and Tokyo University, gathered at
the Fudan campus to discuss the interaction between city development and higher
education.
Han said the city was expected to generate 420 billion yuan (US$52
billion) in revenue this year. After submitting a portion to the central
government, 21 percent of the city's disposable revenue would then be invested
in education.
"It's a large amount, but it's still not enough," Han said.
He added that city government would add more fixed-asset investment, such as
land and research facilities, to support the development of local universities
into world-class institutions.
Citing fudan University's new Jiangwan campus
as an example, Han said the city government never hesitated on its decision to
set aside 1 million square meters of land for Fudan. The land, which was offered
free of charge to the university, has a market value of 10 billion yuan, he
noted.
The city's pledge for increased funding was applauded by university
presidents from home and board.
Wang shenghong, president of Fudan
University, said the government's support was the best gift for the school's
centennial. In his keynote speech, Wang also noted that universities should
function not only as engines for knowledge and innovation but also as
fountainheads for urban culture.
For john Hood, president of the University
of Oxford, the major contribution a university makes to a city's development
should be the education of future leaders and citizens.
Richard levin,
president of Yale University, said investment in fundamental scientific research
can bring direct positive results to universities.
"Universities need funding
to support their scientific activities; they could not thrive without government
investment. That's critical to a university's reputation," Levin
said.
"Actually, I should consider moving Yale to Shanghai for the sake of
the large government investment," he joked.