The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, a global leader in science and technology education, broke ground today to launch the Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) in Shantou, China located in Guangdong Province. GTIIT, an historic partnership between the Technion and Shantou University, will offer high-level, innovative and research-oriented undergraduate and graduate education.
Leading the groundbreaking ceremony were former Israeli President Shimon Peres, Hong Kong business leader and philanthropist Li Ka-shing, Technion President Peretz Lavie, GTIIT Chancellor Li Jiange; GTIIT Vice Chancellor, Technion Distinguished Professor and Nobel Laureate Aaron Ciechanover; and Ofir Akunis, Israel's Minister of Science, Technology and Space.
The Israel Foreign Ministry, through its Consulate in Guangdong, took an active part in promoting the necessary contacts, particularly with the local Chinese authorities.
At the ceremony, former President Peres said that “The establishment of a Technion campus in China is one more proof that Israeli innovation is breaking down geographic borders. China is one of Israel's major partners in technology and hi-tech and more than 1,000 Israeli companies are active in China. I hope that the economic cooperation between the two countries will continue to expand, as both countries have much to share with, and learn from, one another."
"This is an unprecedented achievement for Israeli academia, which in fact opens up an Israeli university in China,” said Israel's Minister of Science, Technology and Space Ofir Akunis during the ceremony. "I see a strategic importance in strengthening and deepening our relations with China in all aspects: economically, technologically and scientifically."
Former Israel President Shimon Peres, Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Province Committee Hu Chunhua, Mr. Li Ka-shing
(Copyright: Government of Guangdong Province)