ZHENG CAIXIONG

GUANGZHOU: Guangdong Province is determined to improve its educational image by merging two prestigious universities later this month.

The merger of Zhongshan University and Zhongshan Medical University would position both to compete with Beijing, Qinghua, Fudan and Nankai universities in academic and scientific research.

Guangdong Vice-Governor Lu Zhonghe said the new university will help boost higher education and train more scientists, engineers, doctors, lawyers and other specialists. This training, Lu said, would support the province's fast growing economy.

Approved by the Ministry of Education and the Guangdong provincial government, the new university will open in September.

Zhongshan University is known for its liberal arts, science and technology education. Zhongshan Medical University focuses on health education.

Zhongshan Medical University will become an institute of the new university.

The Guangdong provincial government and the Ministry of Education will manage the new school and choose a decorated scientist and educator as president.

The new university will also do academic exchanges with overseas schools, said Lu, who is in charge of education in the province.

The local government has agreed to spend more than 900 million yuan (US$108 million) over three years to import advanced teaching equipment and attract quality teachers and researchers from home and abroad.

The Ministry of Education has also agreed to spend another 300 million yuan (US$36 million) to improve the university.