The signing ceremony for Zhejiang province and several of its cities to co-develop first-class disciplines is held in Hangzhou on Dec 27. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

The provincial education department of Zhejiang province signed agreements with Wenzhou, Zhoushan, and Yiwu authorities on Dec 27 to help Wenzhou University, Zhejiang Ocean University, and China Jiliang University develop world first class disciplines.

The move is a response to China's initiative to develop world first class universities and disciplines in recent years.

Zhejiang now has two universities and two disciplines selected as world first class. Seventeen national innovation platforms have been established in the province over the past five years. Seven national awards have been given to projects conducted by Zhejiang researchers and three local professors have been selected as members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

According to the agreements, the provincial education department will guide the three schools to formulate specific plans for the development of first class disciplines. Each school will focus on one discipline and the city governments will strengthen financial support for these schools.